Oregon Hospital Still Has Asbestos

Article Added September 7th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

After it became known a few weeks ago that an Oregon psychiatric hospital was riddled with asbestos, residents and former workers still have no answers. The state has not compiled a plan as to removing the dangerous substance.

The Oregon State Hospital was once a place of healing, taking in patients that were mentally disturbed and in need of help. Today, the century old building is in shambles; worse, it is full of decaying asbestos. The building, famous for being the site of filming for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” is a potential risk to residents. It is a continuing reminder for those who both worked and were housed there over the last 75 years. Former workers have come forward, asking for assistance with health screenings and medical bills; renovation workers are concerned that they were exposed to asbestos unnecessarily.

The hospital remains standing, though many of the buildings making up the compound have been deemed dangerous. An earthquake or earth shifting could release hazardous asbestos fibers into the air. And still, the state will not provide any assistance to those exposed, nor have they outlined a plan of action over the hospital’s decaying status. Renovations halted after asbestos was found, and will not resume until abatement occurs.

Article Added September 7th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story