Oct
30
Asbestos dust and debris has long been associated with the development of mesothelioma disease. Asbestos dust, at the microscope level, resembles a “hooked” or “barbed” thread that, when inhaled, becomes lodged in the pleural lining of the lungs. Over time, the lungs begin to scar and the scarring can result in the formation of tumors. The tumors can then spread to other parts of the body. A general diagnosis of mesothelioma leaves the sufferer with a bleak outlook and a prognosis of approximately 6 to 12 months to live.
The owner of a neighboring hotel sought an injunction from the court, saying that the possibility of contamination to his property by asbestos material was a public health risk, however the injunction was denied because the court could not find enough proof a health risk existed. Community members in the neighborhood also complained that they felt the implosion wasn’t properly handled. They felt the debris should have been soaked with fire hoses to keep particulate matter from wafting through the air.
An environmental consultant wrote to New Jersey’s governor before the implosion, warning him that the destruction of the Sands Hotel would cause a massive cloud of debris that would contain asbestos, but the Governor’s office did not impede the progress of the demolition work. As predicted, a large could of dust formed once the building had fallen and moved inland.
For those associated with the demolition of the property, the though of asbestos contamination stays in the front of their minds in the days that have past since the blast.
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