November 19th, 2007

Demolition being conducted on an old Arkansas motel caused a stir when it was found that the work was disturbing asbestos on the site. The work was stopped while demolition workers scrambled to contain the material in the busy area.

Demolition on an old motel in a busy section of El Dorado, Arkansas was halted this week after it was found that asbestos fibers were being released into the air. The person that owned the old motel also owns the demolition company being used at the site. The motel owner was issued an order after a complaint was lodged in May regarding the asbestos, halting the current work being done at the busy intersection of town.

The asbestos on site presents a problem, since airborne asbestos can be breathed into the lungs and cause respiratory illnesses. Breathing in asbestos particles has been linked to asbestosis, emphysema and mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer. Mesothelioma results from asbestos fibers being caught in the lungs, keeping the tissue from absorbing oxygen. While it was not apparent if anyone at the site was in danger, the area and motel was sealed off from the public in order to limit the risks.