Last week we told you about the crisis asbestos potential to an office in St. Louis after, but today we have good news. The US Post Office located in St. Louis County, IL that was closed last week because of possible asbestos in the air reopened Saturday after quality testing additional air showed the air was clear of asbestos. STLToday.com reports that after two quality testing of additional air were carried out at the post office on Congressional Drive, it was determined that the office was safe to reopen for workers and the public.
Exposure to asbestos has been known to cause a number of diseases related to asbestos, which is why officials of the County Health requested that the office was closed after found asbestos materials during a renovation project in the building next door to the post office. Officials determined that partition would not be enough to seal the renovation project, and the post office was closed for precautionary purposes.
Diseases caused by exposure to asbestos fibers in the air include asbestosis, a scarring of the lung tissue that causes a decrease in lung capacity, and mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer. The long latency period of mesothelioma, it is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat once it has reached an advanced stage. The measures taken by the post office and the health officials of the county was to protect the community.
It is not uncommon to find asbestos materials in older buildings and houses, as asbestos was used as insulation and other building materials until the 1970s when its use was regulated by the health and safety Department. It is important, if asbestos is discovered in an area you live or work, a health inspector is contacted to determine if asbestos removal team is required to contain asbestos fibers.
