There were various dangers and hazards in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that either never crossed our minds at all or which were instinctually dismissed as secondary given our relative mental states. It was only well after it was too late before we considered the chemicals washed in from refineries and chemical plants (and our own garages & storage rooms) that swirled through our homes. Likewise, it took almost a year for us to start to consider the danger of unfortunately inevitable (for us) asbestos exposure.
Our own home was built in 1998 and the risk of exposure from older materials was low - however, consider the hundreds and thousands of older homes and businesses demolished in the aftermath of Katrina. There were days in those first months following Katrina when large particle pollution was so thick in our air that it reduced visibility like a winter's night fog. Debris trucks rumbled through neighborhoods and city streets packed with insulation - leaving mysterious moldy residue on our cars and windows.
The following is an article from the Mesothelioma Cancer Center (www.asbestos.com) published here in the hopes that it will be a starting point for many to make themselves aware now of the circumstances and dangers of asbestos exposure.
With a force only nature could create, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the morning of August 29th and railed through Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and destroyed everything in its path on the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. Although most media coverage surrounded Louisiana, the devastation was widespread through various states.
Responsible for $81.2 billion in damage, Hurricane Katrina is by far the costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States.
Due to the extreme nature of the storm, one of the major contaminants of concern was asbestos. The threat of asbestos exposure was everywhere, and became a serious problem for those who did not evacuate and those assisting in the cleanup. The storm destroyed buildings in two, allowing many asbestos-containing substances flow freely into air and water. These buildings had to be demolished in the cleanup process (many have yet to be demolished still) which makes the risk for asbestos exposure much greater.
Regarded as the “silent killer,” exposure to asbestos fibers can be a real problem for home and business owners. Homes built prior to 1980 maintain a strong potential of harboring asbestos products. It is important to make sure the location has been tested for asbestos levels. Citizens need to be aware that inhalation of asbestos levels can pose severe health risks.
A fatal lung ailment known as mesothelioma is obtained through asbestos exposure and takes the lives of thousands each year. Asbestos manufacturers were aware of the corrosive effects of the substance, but continued manufacturing it anyways. Due to the amount of victims being plagued by the debilitating illness, it has lead to a variety of mesothelioma attorneys advocating for individual rights.
Although not yet federally banned, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has placed strict regulations in regards to the use and handling of asbestos. The removal of asbestos in public facilities and homes must be completed by a professional asbestos abatement contractor. Once the removal is complete, green alternatives should be considered, such as: cotton fiber, Lcynene and Cellulose.
The United States Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available. These asbestos alternatives will not only reduce energy costs, but allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.
This post is dedicated in memory of Father Patrick Hayes - the priest who performed my baptism in 1971 - taken from us by mesothelioma in the summer of 2007. Requiscat in pace.
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