Maquoketa, Iowa, is a beautiful city located south of Dubuque along the Maquoketa River. The city has long been revered as "quaint" with its many historic sites, mysterious caves and unique land formations; residential lifestyle and quiet area of downtown with specialty shops, antique stores and restaurants still offering a service "old" but there is an eyesore, the city has dealt with a year, and it may be years before the city can not afford to do anything about it.
therea year a violent fire destroyed a business district half block from "downtown" Maquoketa. Although there are no injuries or fire-related deaths, three historic buildings were destroyed. The rubble of the fire is still a year later. Federal officials and state decided that because the buildings dated before 1800, that asbestos was probably used in their construction. They also believe that the fire and the water used to extinguish probably caused cancer causing agent (asbestos) spread throughout the site.
Asbestos removal and cleaning is expensive. In this situation, the regulations called for a highly specialized material handling, insurance companies something would not pay. With no public or private money available, the city of Maquoketa decided to seek federal aid and state, but it could take many more months to learn if they receive funding.
There is no doubt that the proper handling of asbestos cleaning is essential because of mesothelioma, lung terminal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, and other diseases related to asbestos. But the cost of proper handling is too much for many cities and many private owners. new KOAA in Pueblo County, CO has announced that the Commissioners have spent $ 6.6 million on cleanup efforts of a building containing asbestos destroyed by fire in October 07. That's a lot of money taxpayers. Ultimately, the county plans to spend $ 40 million for the redevelopment of the property.
This is money that Maquoketa residents and the city should not save. State and federal funding for asbestos cleanup is limited EPA action and large, s are usually attributed to huge cleanup sites as you find in Libby and Bozeman Montana. It is easy to feel defeated face to the proper disposal of asbestos, particularly as private owner who must pay thousands for it, but it is important for the health and safety of all that the removal of proper asbestos is used.
Prior to the removal of asbestos in your own hands, that can and will be punished by law if caught, take the time to learn about the effects of exposure to asbestos and realize the long term effects it might have not only on you but also on others who may be exposed accidentally. Visit mesothelioma video library to hear the true stories of victims of mesothelioma cancer.
