Natural disasters, industrial accidents and acts of terrorism dispersion of hazardous debris not only in the impact point immediate, but often through miles of residential areas.
Airborne debris destroyed buildings comprises dust, soot, concrete powder, and in some cases ?? the deadly asbestos.
In December 2014, a large cloud of smoke and asbestos engulfed Roermond, Netherlands, after a massive boat torque flows into a marina caught fire. Dutch officials declared an emergency because of asbestos dust covered most burning boats city, AOS houses, cars, streets and roofs.
Australia, Japan and other countries, including the US, have faced similar incidents in recent years
Although the complete removal of asbestos in all US facilities is a near impossibility, disasters like these can potentially put thousands of Americans at risk of developing life-threatening diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer asbestos.
Dutch Marina fire asbestos press
Roermond quickly closed after the fire that shops, restaurants, schools, train stations and highways closed for more than 10 days, while crews cleared asbestos from the city.
officials have urged the city, AOS 57,000 residents to keep their doors and windows closed and stay inside during removal throughout the city of asbestos. If someone wanted to leave, they had to undergo a decontamination process first. They were also asked to leave their shoes outside before entering a building.
An asbestos removal company removed asbestos dust and sprayed affected areas to prevent asbestos particles float in the wind.
Spreads Across Asbestos Tornado Joplin, Missouri
in 2011, a devastating EF5 tornado (wind speeds greater than 0 mph) plowed through Joplin, Missouri, killing 158 people, injuring more than 1,000 others and caused $ 2.8 billion in damages.
houses and buildings in Joplin elderly were built with materials containing asbestos. They were also painted with lead-based paint before it was banned in the US in 1978. As the tornado ripped countless homes, he poured these toxic materials throughout the southern part of the city .
Two months after the tornado struck, the Environmental Protection Agency US (EPA) issued a statement warning Joplin residents and anyone else involved in cleanup efforts and demolition of damaged buildings to wear protective equipment, including gloves and respirators to avoid the risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.
EPA also coordinated the disposal of hazardous waste, monitoring the air for the presence of asbestos and has developed plans for the reconstruction of houses, schools and other public buildings.
contamination in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina
Katrina, at one point a Category 5 storm, killed more than 1,800 people in 05, making it one of five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States.
meteorologists recorded wind speeds of more 140 mph as the storm blew through southeast Louisiana. Wind gusts exceeded 100 mph in New Orleans. Many of the area, AOS older homes containing asbestos products were destroyed.
The rain storm, AOS, strong winds and asbestos fibers in bulk flood spread. Residents face the destruction of their homes and the community, and the potential dangers of exposure to asbestos.
The EPA has said more than 100 hazardous pollutants, including asbestos, probably contaminated air, drinking water and water flooding after the hurricane.
workers and volunteers who helped in the cleanup efforts were at the highest risk of exposure for the movement of damaged asbestos products can release fibers into the air. Those who assisted in cleanup efforts, including the demolition of severely damaged buildings often are not properly protected, which increases their risk of exposure.
Relief efforts continued well until 08, exposing residents, workers and volunteers to asbestos for years after the hurricane hit.
Asbestos Cloud over Manhattan after 9/11 terrorist attack
asbestos was a common building material when the twin towers were built in the 1960s
Her heat and chemical resistance properties, strength and affordability contributed to its widespread use in the dry wall, insulation and fireproof materials. An estimated 400 tons of asbestos were used in the construction of the World Trade Center.
In their intact, these materials were not dangerous. However, two hours after terrorists crashed airlines in the towers on 11 September 01, the two buildings of 110 floors collapsed, sending asbestos sprayed into the air.
surrounding buildings as the towers fell, they also destroyed, adding more asbestos to the huge amount already released.
EPA officials orchestrated a massive cleanup effort to suck debris and street dust, monitor air and water to the potentially dangerous effects, remove debris and hazardous waste , create appropriate washing stations for workers and develop cleaning and testing programs for residents of New York.
Despite these efforts, the Global Registry of health Trade and the National Institute for Safety and Health at Work estimate around 410,000 people in the region were exposed to toxins building materials, including asbestos.
the Ground Zero workers are more at risk of developing mesothelioma. Health officials expect many of these 9/11 workers develop the disease over the coming years.
It, AOS important to remember the potential for asbestos exposure after a disaster ?? human or natural origin ?? can persist for years, permanently affecting the population.
