Outdated EPA Regulations May Increase Asbestos Exposure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an antiquated and inadequate
policy in place that allows the release of asbestos-contaminated wastewater and threatens public health, according to the Office of Inspector General
(OIG).
The EPA's National Emission Standard for Asbestos, first issued in 1973, includes a provision that still permits the demolition of structurally unsound
buildings without first removing asbestos products — often resulting in toxic runoff and contaminated soil.
"Demolitions may be releasing potentially harmful amounts of asbestos into the environment," said Michael Wilson, toxicologist who helped author the June OIG report. "The amount of asbestos released into runoff wastewater can often
exceed the legally reportable quantity."
The renovation, remodeling or demolition of older structures becomes particularly dangerous if microscopic asbestos fibers are disturbed. An exposure can
lead to serious asbestos-related health issues such as
mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer.
The report is based on the EPA's Alternative Asbestos Control Method (AACM) experiments from 2005 to 2011 that included demolition procedures and
collection of data on the release of asbestos into the environment.
It also was based on buildings that were constructed with asbestos cement products and asbestos-containing joint compound. Both
building materials were common in new construction before 1980.
Wilson...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tim Povtak Tags: Legislation, Laws & Litigation Source Type: news
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