With mesothelioma-causing asbestos gone, debris can be recycledFort Stewart, Georgia - Near Hinesville, Georgia, military housing at Fort Stewart has been razed to make way for new development. The homes, located at Marne Terrace, have long been criticized for being substandard. The units contained toxins like asbestos, which had to be abated prior to demolition. Asbestos exposure has been linked in many clinical studies to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that commonly affects the lungs and lining of the abdominal cavity. The disease typically lies dormant for many decades before the first symptoms present themselves. Sadly, the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis. The cancer can manifest in three forms: peritoneal, pericardial, and pleural; which affect the abdomen, heart, and lungs, respectively.
"This is a step forward for us," said Col. Kevin Milton about the project. Milton is the garrison commander of Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. "We have 962 renovations that are ongoing or are completed," he added.
"We have one common goal and that is to take care of the families," said Christopher Curry, government division housing chief at Fort Stewart.
Elise VanPool, a spokesperson with the Public Affairs Office, told reporters "About 90 percent of the materials from Marne Terrace, like cement from the driveways and copper wiring, will be recycled. Even the doors will be reused. They've been taken out and will be used on the range. Soldiers can practice kicking them down."
