NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – In New Orleans, cleansing fire may not just be a metaphor. The EPA will deal with the large amount of asbestos-contaminated debris in one New Orleans parish by using fire.

Amid reports that the hazards of asbestos contamination in the debris and litter left behind in the wake of Katrina have slowed rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, the EPA has announced that they will clean up some of the problem with a controlled cleanup burn.

It’s been nearly three years since the devastation that was Katrina hit the Gulf Coast city, and officials have been unable to demolish many of the buildings because of the presence of asbestos in the structures. Asbestos dust in the air is a serious health hazard. As long as the buildings are standing and the materials containing the asbestos are intact, say officials, there is no danger from the asbestos.

During demolition, however, those asbestos containing materials are likely to be disturbed and destroyed, releasing high levels of asbestos into the air. Asbestos, widely used as a construction material during the last century, is present in nearly every structure built between the 1930s and early 1980s. In addition, many older buildings contain considerable asbestos because they saw substantial renovations during those years.

In New Orleans, hundreds of buildings that contain asbestos were destroyed when Katrina unleashed her fury on the city. In an attempt to prevent further devastation that could extend decades into the future, EPA officials have stayed true to federal guidelines for demolition, particularly for public buildings and office buildings. Those guidelines require that all asbestos be removed by licensed personnel before buildings are demolished.

Unfortunately, the enormous amount of work to be done and the sheer amount of asbestos-containing material that must be disposed of has slowed the recovery efforts of the best-intentioned workers. The EPA’s proposed solution to at least a part of the problem is to burn the debris from one parish in a specially designed incinerator. Air quality monitors will be used to ensure that no asbestos is released into the air during the burning.

It’s ironic that fire will be used to cleanse asbestos from the materials, since asbestos was so highly prized specifically for its resistance to fire and its insulating properties. However, when asbestos-containing materials are burned at very high temperatures, the asbestos fibers are converted to a harmless substance.

Asbestos fibers have been linked to mesothelioma, a rare cancer that has no other known cause, as well as higher risks of lung cancer, asbestosis and several other cancers.

The EPA has these recommendations for those attempting to repair or demolish their own homes and structures:

* If you know or suspect that your home contains asbestos, and it has been damaged or may be damaged, seek the assistance of public health authorities or try to find specially trained contractors if possible.
* Whenever possible, handle removed materials while wet or damp, double bag the debris and label it properly.
* At a minimum when handling material that you believe is contaminated with asbestos, wear gloves, goggles and – most important – OSHA-approved respirators and masks.
* Wash your hands and clothing after handling asbestos containing materials while still wearing the mask.
* Try not to sweep or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
* Temporarily move your family (especially children and pregnant women) out of the apartment or house until the work is done and the area is properly cleaned. If you can’t move your family, at least completely seal off the work area.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm and is filed under Asbestos Abatement, Asbestos Exposure, Louisiana. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.