California Trails Contaminated with Asbestos
The popular bike and recreation trails in the Sierra Nevada region of California have been found to contain toxic levels of asbestos.
Researchers at the Sierra Fund, an environmental advocacy group, reported that tests of the trails’ soil shows high levels of arsenic and lead as well.
The hazardous materials are a result of the abandoned mines on the trails dating back to the Gold Rush Era. The asbestos dust, which settled into the soil after the mines were initially made, can be stirred up when biked or walked on.
This presents a danger for those who frequent the trails as the asbestos can be inhaled or absorbed into the skin.
Asbestos exposure is known to cause mesothelioma. This cancer attacks the lining of the lungs, stomach or heart. There is currently no cure for mesothelioma although palliative treatments are available.
The issue has been brought to the attention of federal authorities and a clean-up plan is being devised.
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/23/MN2E1E36I7.DTL
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