Asbestos Still Poses Threat -- MesoLink.org -- 04-07-06

Officials in Oregon have expressed concern over the dangers posed by asbestos even though the product was banned decades ago. The concern is over the fact that there was so much asbestos used before the 1980s that many homes and buildings still contain large levels of asbestos in one form or another.

One spokesman for the state health department stated: "Asbestos is just so ubiquitous; it's everywhere. If you look at a lot of the substances that are causing major environmental headaches these days, the reason they are such a problem is because they were so good at what they did."

Officials are surprised that there is not more asbestos abatement going on considering the number of renovations that take place. Concerns have also been raised with regards to the number of asbestos violations that occur where contractors and renovation firms are charged with improper removal and handling of the carcinogenic substance.

Dottie Boyd, a state asbestos inspector, stated: "Considering the amount of buildings under renovation and demolition, there should be a lot more abatement going on. We hold contractors to a higher level. That's their business."