Hearing held in New Hampshire last month to discuss asbestos disposal regulationsNashua, New Hampshire - The cities of Nashua and Hudson, New Hampshire have become the leading locations in the state for the disposal of asbestos. So it was only natural that state officials decided to hold a hearing about asbestos dumping site regulations at Nashua City Hall.
"It was deemed suitable to hold the hearing there, since most of the asbestos disposal sites in New Hampshire are in those two communities," said Laura Kieronski of the Solid Waste Bureau in the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
The disposal of asbestos must be done in accordance with federal regulations, as exposure to even a small amount of the material is considered unsafe. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that can be treated with palliative measures like chemo but remains incurable. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before the onset of the cancer's symptoms.
Nashua was once home to the Johns Manville plant, a manufacturer of asbestos-based fireproof building materials. The company operated in the area for seven decades, and often gave leftover asbestos to local residents who used it in buildings, parking lots, and roads. In 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency paid roughly $140,000 to remove 95 tons of asbestos-contaminated dirt from an area near the Nashua River.
With such an abundance of asbestos in the area, the Asbestos Disposal Sites Rules have been set forth by the state to govern monitoring and maintaining of disposal sites, controlling excavation, and requirements for notification and disclosure. These rules expire on February 16th, at which time they must be renewed and approved by the state legislature. The hearing aimed to get the public involved in the process, and to educate about the current asbestos regulations.
