December 7th, 2007

An historic railroad station in Iowa is under speculation this week, and plans for demolition are being discussed. The railway station cannot be razed until the asbestos within the structure is removed.

The K-D Station in Iowa has many different problems. The building, though old, may not be considered historic. The crumbling structure needs to be torn down, but demolition cannot start until the existing asbestos is removed. And no one can decide where the funds for the expensive abatement will come from. The city wants to get federal funding to pay for the abatement, but must prove the historical significance of the building before they can apply. If the building obtains historical status, then the city must validate why a historical building is being torn down.

Asbestos abatement, or the safe removal of the dangerous substance, can be staggeringly expensive since only licensed professionals can carry out the job. Asbestos can become deadly if it is mishandled and can break apart into airborne particles. Breathing in asbestos fibers has been known to cause emphysema and a form of deadly lung cancer called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, which causes the lung tissue to slowly die, can take decades to be diagnosed and is often terminal at the time of detection.