Asbestos Fears Abated
Article Added January 8th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
After reports of asbestos located in the basement of a demolished Fee tower, local residents have been worried that they may be contaminated by the deadly substance. The latest report about the asbestos contradicts previous official reports indicating that the Fee tower posed no significant risk to humans. Past reports had indicated that all previous asbestos in the tower, had been removed during an earlier abatement job. Other reports simply mentioned that the asbestos was gone and gave no idea as to the possibility that some asbestos still remained.
Part owner of the Zip site (Howalt-McDowell Insurance) indicated that people were given the wrong idea about the asbestos most likely as a result of incomplete information. Jeff Scherschigt, president of Howalt insurance said that the small amount of remaining asbestos in the basement was deemed to be too dangerous to remove by workers since there was only a small amount of asbestos left at the site and the thought was that the general public would not be placed at risk.
Vonni Kallemeyn of the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that the remaining asbestos really posed no danger to the public. She further went on to say that concerning the remaining asbestos the company broke no laws and the site was safe. During the removal of the remaining asbestos, the asbestos would be kept wet so as to prevent the asbestos fibers from becoming air borne. It is believed that the asbestos fibers become very dangerous when airborne as they can at that point become inhaled and affect the lungs adversely.
Mrs.. Kallemeyn was quick to point out that the company had done everything according to industry standards and that this was more the exception than the rule. The material would next be gathered up and placed in a special landfill where it would not pose any dangers to other people. An asbestos inspector of Geotek Engineering and testing services of Sioux Falls will be on the Zip sit during the asbestos removal to ensure safety precautions are followed. Additionally the state inspector may also make a surprise visit.
The company was congratulated for complying with industry asbestos safety standards.
Article Added January 8th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
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