The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will continue air quality monitoring at several sites within Iowa City, IO, in an effort to ensure the safety of all residents and cleanup crews. As the flood waters continue to recede, many homeowners have been informed that their former residences will have to be demolished.
The EPA has been monitoring air quality at various locations for over two weeks now.
In Cedar Rapids, officials estimate that approximately forty homes will have to be demolished. No estimation is available for Iowa City; however, EPA officials on the scene in that area do not think that any homes will have to be completely torn down.
Asbestos-containing materials can be found in over 35 million residences within the United States. Materials such as insulation, drywall, plaster, stucco, floor & ceiling tiles, and roofing tiles may release asbestos fibers into the air if they are damaged or disturbed, putting individuals at great risk for inhalation. Asbestos has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelial lining of the lungs and abdomen.
The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center encourages ongoing air quality monitoring by the EPA and commends EPA’s dedication to the safety of all Iowa residents in the aftermath of this disaster.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center also recommends renovation of older asbestos fixtures as Iowa residents rebuild in the aftermath of the flooding. Even as some materials post no immediate danger, further damage from flooding or other natural disaster could render these materials highly toxic.
The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is the web’s foremost resource for information related to asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, mesothelioma treatment options, and more. Please visit the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center website for additional information.
