Local Residents Concerned About Asbestos -- MesoLink.org -- 09-14-05

Residents of neighborhoods near a recently burned out sawmill have expressed concern with regards to the possibility of asbestos contamination. The concern comes after flames engulfed Idaho Timber Products earlier in the week. The fire resulted in slabs of asbestos roofing material being deposited in the surrounding areas, leaving debris and dust in the air and on the ground.

Despite the residents’ concerns, health authorities have stated that there is no indication of contamination that would put anyone at risk, and even the workers that have been working on the clean up have stopped using their protective gear and equipment.

The workers are currently dousing deposited material with water to reduce the risk of particle deposition into the air as the materials dry out and break up. They are also cleaning up as much of the debris as possible in order to get things back in order as quickly as possible and with minimal disruption and risk to residents.

Jim Carlson, director of environmental health at the City-County Health Department, said Friday: "The concern with asbestos is breathing the fibers that become airborne. As long as people don't break it up and breathe the dust, the risks will be very, very low."