Asbestos Halts Water Line Repair

Article Added February 10th, 2007 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

The pipes bringing water to a small West Virginia town were being repaired when asbestos was found. The finding stopped work on those areas of the water line until the asbestos could be removed.

As the water supply line for Romney, West Virginia was being repaired, all work had to be paused after asbestos was discovered. While work is continuing on parts of the piping that did not have asbestos, repairs on the asbestos-insulated areas cannot move forward until a licensed team removes the substance. An environmental engineer was already employed on the site to oversee the repairs, and will continue to monitor the progress of work during and after the asbestos is removed.

Though asbestos insulation is normally not a hazard, when asbestos is disturbed or removed improperly it can become dangerous. Asbestos becomes airborne when mishandled, breaking into fibers that can be inhaled. Asbestos fibers in the lungs can lead to emphysema, asbestosis and a form of lung cancer called meosthelioma. Mesothelioma can take years to manifest, and can be deadly at the time of detection. Officials stated that no asbestos was released into the water line, and that a licensed agent will be completing the abatement.

Article Added February 10th, 2007 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story