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Bridge reopened following mesothelioma-causing asbestos abatement
A major commuter bridge in Tampa, Florida is once again open to traffic after being shut down for repairs and asbestos removal since last year. The Cass Street Bridge in Tampa is a major thru-way for commuters entering or leaving the downtown area, and has been closed since last July. The bridge itself dates back to the 1920s, and had not been overhauled since the late 1940s. Work completed on the bridge included replacing corroded sections of steel, repainting the bridge to protect it from the elements, and removing asbestos.
Asbestos was used in decades past in a variety of building materials, ranging from insulation to fireproofing to cement to adhesives. However, in the 1970s it was revealed that exposure to asbestos could cause serious health problems. Asbestos can break down into small, fiber-like strands. These strands can become airborne, particularly if the material is damaged in some. If inhaled or ingested, these tiny fibers can cause serious illness or even death later in life.
Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, which affects less than 3,000 Americans each year. There is no known cure. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis. Asbestos exposure can also lead to lung cancer and pleural plaques.
The final price tag on the bridge project was $1.7 million. An estimated 12,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day.