Asbestos-laden homes may be burned to save money, despite health worriesOgden, Texas - Forty-six asbestos filled homes plague Ogden, Texas. The abandoned buildings are not only eyesores, but stand in the way of the town’s Riverfront redevelopment zone. The dilapidated buildings must be removed as quickly and cheaply as possible, in order to redevelop the area.
Ogden Fire Chief Mike Mathieu recently received approval from the state Division of Air Quality to use the structures for fire training, reports Firehouse.com. In the past 30 months, firefighters have extinguished 17 suspected arson fires within the Riverfront area.
Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey has noted that burning the houses would save demolition costs, and reduce the amount of debris. Others, however, disagree with Godfrey, and have noted that several dangers could arise from the burning.
Jim Judd, president of Professional Firefighters of Utah, has noted that hazardous substances would need to be removed from the homes, before they are set ablaze. Such abatement process is costly, and, as Judd noted, would dwindle cost savings.
Asbestos inspections have completed, with removal beginning in the next two weeks. The hazardous material must be removed from the homes, before they are demolished. For when asbestos is disturbed, the particles can become airborne, and pose a serious health risk to workers and community residents.
Extended exposure to the material has been known to cause several diseases, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the rarest and most aggressive asbestos-related disease.
For patients faced with the disease, mesothelioma treatment tends to arrive late. For symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, lie dormant for 10 to 50 years--resulting in a late diagnosis. Asbestos cancer has no known cure.
Officials are still determining whether to burn the buildings, rather than bulldoze.
