The massive clean-up of the Alabama homes destroyed has become more of an environmental problem than anticipated. The Tuscaloosa news reported that there are no regulations in place that govern the removal and disposal of asbestos from single-family homes.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and is present in many homes built before the 80s. Removal of asbestos is generally regulated, but only for commercial, governmental and multi-family sites. The EPA has suggestions on how to remove the asbestos for Alabama residents, but there is no direct enforcement regulating removal. A person unaware of the dangers of asbestos or how to properly remove it could endanger the health of others.
Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma and other lung cancers. Mesothelioma causes tumors to grow on the linings of the abdomen, heart and especially the lungs. Mesothelioma cancer patients have exorbitant medical costs, which a mesothelioma attorney can fight to recover for those afflicted.
The EPA has recommended that people involved in clean-up of the single-family homes wet the materials to keep the fibers from becoming airborne. Because taking precautions is strictly voluntary, health officials and environmental activists in Alabama are concerned about the health risks posed by improper removal and disposal of asbestos.
The weather in Alabama has been very dry making it possible for more asbestos fibers to become airborne and when inhaled can lead to serious pulmonary diseases. Those who have contracted mesothelioma can hire a mesothelioma lawyer to seek compensatory damages.
