Officials Testing for Mesothelioma-Causing Asbestos Following Fire
In Elyria, Ohio, the EPA and other officials are on the hunt for signs of asbestos contamination at the former General Industries site, where a fire consumed the two-block site many months ago. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-hired contractors have been on the scene wearing white jumpsuits and using respirators to minimize their risk of inhaling any airborne asbestos fibers. Exposure to asbestos does, in some cases, lead to mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer.
According to Jim Augustyn, a spokesman for the U.S. EPA, the building's owner says no asbestos is present at the site. "Mr. Peshek has made several statements that the bricks were not contaminated, and site sampling will provide us with more information to refine estimates on cleaning up the property," Mr. Augustyn explained.
The fire, which occurred in July of 2008, has been under investigation for some time, and 200 samples have been taken from the site. Ohio-based EPA officials found asbestos evidence less than two weeks after the fire.
"The U.S. EPA got on board in May because Mr. Peshek hasn't made a great deal of progress on cleaning up the property," Augustyn said. "The problem we are facing with Mr. Peshek is he wants to do the cleanup, but he doesn't have the financial assets to do the cleanup. So until he can find suitable finances, the U.S. EPA is moving forward with preparing to do the cleanup ourselves."
Most of the materials tested include roofing, floor tiles, and insulation. According Mike Settles, another EPA spokesperson, no visible asbestos emissions have been spotted.
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