Lockup Breakdown Locked Down: Jail Demolition Delayed by Asbestos
Asbestos is common in old public buildings, and recent discovery of asbestos in a St. Louis Prison has postponed the building’s removal.
The demolition of an old correctional facility in St. Louis Missouri has been delayed, due to the presence of contamination including lead and asbestos. The facility was set to be demolished toward the end of December 2024, but plans are now on hold until sometime in 2025. While residents are probably disappointed that the removal of this unused facility is not immediately paving the way for something new, this delay over health concerns is good news for the community overall.
Asbestos Awareness in Building Deconstruction
Sometimes asbestos-contaminated buildings spread life-threatening fibers into the air through the course of natural disasters, such as fires. Other times, this contamination happens incidentally with the help of demolition projects. The demolition of old buildings is a common occurrence, yet these projects carry inherent risks, especially with older structures. A silent danger lurks within: asbestos.
Asbestos in Older Buildings
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), once widely used in construction for their fire-resistant and insulating properties, are now known for their deadly health consequences. Demolition projects, which disturb and release these fibers into the air, pose a significant threat to workers and communities if not handled with extreme caution.
What exactly is asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers used extensively in construction materials until the late 1970s and early 1980s, and even later in some applications. The most common forms, including chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite, are all linked to severe respiratory illnesses and cancers. Many older buildings, constructed before regulations regarding asbestos use, contain ACMs, often in unexpected places.
These ACMs can be found in: insulation (pipe, boiler, wall), floor tiles and adhesives, roofing and siding materials, plaster and cement, transite (asbestos cement), and other materials like gaskets and fire doors. The critical danger of asbestos is that fibers are easily released into the air when these materials are disturbed during demolition. Once airborne, asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and can become lodged deep within the lungs, leading to asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. The latency period for these diseases is significant, often taking 20-50 years after exposure for symptoms to appear.
A History of EPA Regulations and the Proposed Ban
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working for decades to regulate asbestos and mitigate its dangers. In the 1970s, the EPA first began implementing regulations aimed at limiting asbestos exposure. Over time, regulations became stricter, including restrictions on the manufacture and use of asbestos in certain products. These regulations also led to the creation of protocols regarding the safe removal and disposal of asbestos. Despite these restrictions, some types of asbestos remained in use.
In 2024, the EPA took a landmark step by proposing a total ban on chrysotile asbestos, the last remaining type of asbestos still used in the United States. This proposed ban would prevent the import and distribution of this dangerous material, marking a significant victory for public health. It reflects the long-standing scientific consensus that all types of asbestos are carcinogenic and pose a significant health risk. Although not yet fully enacted, this proposed ban signals the EPA’s commitment to finally eliminating the risks associated with this deadly substance. This proposed ban has been a long time coming, as there was an attempt to ban asbestos in the 1980s that was overturned in the courts.
The Critical Need for Testing Before Demolition
The first critical step in ensuring safety during any demolition project, particularly those involving older buildings, is thorough testing for asbestos. Without thorough testing, it is impossible to know if a building contains asbestos, and even more difficult to estimate the dangers involved in moving forward with demolition. Cutting corners on initial assessments or material testing is not only unethical but also illegal and extremely dangerous.
Minimizing Asbestos Exposure
Once testing has determined the presence of ACMs, demolition should proceed only with appropriate precautions to minimize exposure to asbestos fibers: containment of the work area using plastic sheeting, tape, and negative pressure systems; the use of wet methods using a specialized wetting agent to prevent fibers from becoming airborne; mandatory use of appropriate PPE, including respirators with HEPA filters, disposable protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection, along with regular fit-testing; decontamination procedures before leaving the work area to avoid spreading fibers; and the proper disposal of asbestos waste in sealed, labeled containers at a designated asbestos disposal site.
These safety precautions are mandatory steps to protect both workers and communities from asbestos exposure. A failure to adhere to these guidelines indicates both gross negligence and a lack of understanding of the long-term dangers that asbestos exposure entails.
Protecting Workers: Health Monitoring and Awareness
Workers in the demolition industry and those working near contaminated worksites face a higher risk of asbestos exposure and should be more aware of the potential dangers and symptoms of asbestos-related diseases. Critical steps they should take include proper asbestos training to recognize ACMs and safe work practices, regular medical screenings including chest X-rays, awareness of symptoms including shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss, and record-keeping of potential asbestos exposure to provide medical professionals with a comprehensive health history.
The Crucial Role of Licensed Professionals
The complexity of asbestos remediation and abatement requires the expertise of licensed and certified professionals. Seeking out qualified professionals with years of experience in testing, removing, and disposing of asbestos safely is of the utmost importance. Attempting to remove asbestos without proper training or certification is incredibly dangerous. Even initial air quality testing requires proper training and equipment, and should only be handled by certified asbestos professionals.
DIY projects in contaminated environments pose extreme health risks that far outweigh any perceived savings. When dealing with asbestos, proper knowledge, specialized tools, appropriate PPE, and adherence to regulatory guidelines are necessary, and only licensed professionals can ensure safe and efficient asbestos removal.
Prioritizing Health and Safety
The demolition of old buildings poses a significant risk of asbestos exposure if not handled with care and regulations. By prioritizing thorough testing, proper removal protocols, worker safety, engaging licensed professionals, and with increased regulation from the EPA, we can protect workers and communities from the long-term health consequences of asbestos exposure. Safety and awareness are essential aspects of all demolition projects. Ignoring these steps can have fatal consequences for all involved. A proactive and informed approach is the only responsible way to proceed when confronting the ever-present dangers of asbestos.