Asbestos and Hurricanes

After a natural disaster like that of a hurricane, restoring damaged areas to pre-disaster conditions often involves removing or repairing damaged structures. In many instances, there may be a natural tendency to overlook certain hazards, especially asbestos, that are not immediately life threatening. However, such hazards are serious, and may cause future health complications several decades from the time of exposure. Given the health hazards associated with asbestos, precautionary measures should be taken during emergency situations to minimize exposure to such materials.

Asbestos Exposure from Hurricanes

The EPA was partially motivated by Hurricane Hugo (which hit South Carolina in September 1989) to consider asbestos in accordance with other emergency response activities. In many cases, asbestos exposure is not at the forefront of public health concerns since exposure does not cause immediate health problems. In addition, organizations that respond to disaster situations (such as fire departments) are not required to deal with asbestos. However, because asbestos exposure can lead to the development of terminal diseases later in life, this health hazard should be addressed with every public disaster.

Steps to Take to Avoid Asbestos Exposure

If asbestos is present during hurricane cleanup efforts, containing the area should be a first priority to prevent further contamination. If removal isn't possible right away, use protective equipment or safe working procedures to reduce exposure. A professional abatement contractor should be hired to safely remove all asbestos-contaminated materials. The risks of removing asbestos-containing materials are high and can cause serious health conditions such as mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Unfortunately, a shortage of professional asbestos inspectors and contractors tend to occur during a natural disaster. This can further complicate the remediation process and often leads to improper demolition or removal of asbestos.

A range of federal statutes provide planning or cleanup information applicable to catastrophic emergencies and natural disasters. These statutes include the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).

In advance of natural disasters, such as hurricanes that can be predicted, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that regional, state, and local NESHAP coordinators should take measures to manage potential asbestos hazards and prevent asbestos exposure. Other preparations that should be taken into consideration include waste disposal issues. Destructive hurricanes often require the removal of wreckage material, and the capacity at landfills may not be enough to sustain debris. In order to maintain safety for the public, landfills should be prepped for excessive amounts of garbage, especially those landfills designated for handling asbestos.

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