Asbestos a Concern in Western Massachusetts

Concerns about airborne asbestos fibers are on the rise in the community of Holyoke in Western Massachusetts. A recent public forum at the Morgan Elementary School during the month of December aimed to quell the fears of local residents. The origin of Holyoke’s asbestos woes date back to a 2008 fire at the nearby Parson’s Paper Mill. The fire raged out of control, ultimately burning to the ground and leaving nothing behind but rubble. After an investigation by federal government officials found asbestos at the site of the fire earlier this year, state officials were quick to explain that no local residents are at risk.

Asbestos can cause significant health problems, including mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure for this particularly aggressive disease.

The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms. The cancer often attacks the lining of the lungs, although the heart and abdomen can also develop cancerous masses as well.

Tom Hatzoppulos of the Environmental Protection Agency, said, “In the places guarded during nonworking hours and the other thing you’re asking me about that we should be worried about, there are air monitoring stations around the perimeter of the site. We have five of them and we are constantly monitoring the air.” Officials added that the asbestos cleanup at the site will take six months to complete.

Source: http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/79588592.html