City officials set an asbestos removal deadlineSalida, Colorado - Officials in Salida, Colorado have set December 20th as the deadline for Salcat Properties, LLC to begin asbestos abatement on their property, the former Unique Theater. City administrator Jack Lewis has warned that failure to begin work or to obtain demolition permits by said deadline will result in the pursuit of court authority on December 21st to allow Diesslin Structures, Inc. to complete the building’s stabilization.
Asbestos is a toxic mineral that was used commonly in construction throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Its use in the United States was banned in the late 1980’s when it became common knowledge that asbestos causes such fatal diseases as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the protective lining of the lungs, heart, chest and abdomen.
When planning the demolition of any building with asbestos, the carcinogenic mineral must first be removed. Asbestos is most dangerous when it is disturbed, causing fibers to be released. These fibers lodge in the lungs and over several decades incite the development of different types of mesothelioma, and by the time the cancer is detected, it has usually reached stage three or four. Mesothelioma treatment that combines surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are rarely, enough to halt the progression.
Salcat originally planned to demolish the theatre portion of the building and was issued an asbestos removal permit on December 7th by the Colorado Department of Health.
"It has always been the city's desire to have Salcat do the work to fix the Unique and to not have to spend tax monies on the property,” said city administrator Lewis. "I truly hope Salcat performs in a timely manner to alleviate the hazard. If not, we are fully prepared to protect the public in a very quick manner."
