Contractors Say The Public Will Be Protected From Asbestos Exposure During Demolition

In Newark, New Jersey, many locals are rejoicing after being told that the decrepit Douglass-Harrison Homes housing complex will undergo demolition this month. The housing complex, which is over 70 years old, has been an eyesore for many years.

“I just want to thank God that the Douglass-Harrison buildings are finally going to come down,” said Central Ward councilman Charles Bell. “After the suits, and counter suits, and all the litigation that took place, it’s finally been put to rest.”

Still, many other locals are skeptical, saying that this is not the first time a demolition project has been announced. Many residents say that they will not believe it until they see it. “I can’t tell you the number of timelines we’ve been given over the last three years,” said local Charone Montayne.

Due to the advanced age of the building, concerns were raised about the debris generated during the demolition process. According to local sources, the contractors working on the project will adhere to “a comprehensive asbestos, dust and infestation plan [that] would protect residents during demolition.”

Asbestos exposure has often been linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects thousands of new patients in America each year. Mesothelioma can take up to fifty years to develop after a person’s initial exposure to asbestos fibers. It is unfortunate that the majority of patients succumb to this aggressive form of cancer not long after the onset of symptoms. Generally speaking, most patients pass away within 24 months of being diagnosed, with some patients lasting only a few weeks or months.

Work on the project is expected to wrap up in June.

Source: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/newark_central_ward_housing_co.html