An Iowa Post Office will soon be closing at the height of the busy postal season due to the necessary removal of asbestos located in the building. The necessity to remove the asbestos arises out of the need for a new heating and air conditioning system in the building.

In order to remove the old system and install a new one the asbestos that will be disturbed has to be safely removed in order to prevent exposure to dangerous asbestos fibers. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed such fibers can be released into the air and inhaled by those nearby.

Exposure to even a small amount of asbestos fibers can lead to the development of any one of a number of related diseases. Because these diseases may not show up for up to fifty years, treatment options are only a means of controlling pain and temporarily improving quality of life. Many individuals pass away from such diseases only a short time following diagnosis.

Residents who receive their mail at the West Branch Post Office will have to pick up their mail at the nearby Iowa City postal office or make other arrangements such as having their mail forwarded to neighbors and family’s houses.

The West Branch Post Office is expected to be closed for approximately two weeks but residents are concerned that the project will drag on longer than expected.

A maintenance worker at Florida Tech claims that he was exposed to asbestos while removing dormitory floor tiles. Robert Malfara and other workers were allegedly exposed while removing and breaking apart asbestos-laden floor tiles in Roberts Hall.

Florida Tech, located in Melbourne, FL, received a complaint from Malfara in May of 2008. After filing the complaint, Malfara said that he was “reprimanded” by a supervisor and subsequently contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“They couldn’t believe it,” Malfara said. “That’s why OSHA jumped on it right away.”

Officials at Florida Tech say they are “cooperating fully” with OSHA’s investigation. OSHA is attempting to determine why the institution failed to hire a licensed asbestos abatement professional to conduct removal of the toxin. In addition, OSHA will be investigating the institution’s failure to provide respirators and other safety gear to Malfara and his fellow maintenance workers.

Malfara also told OSHA officials that the contaminated area in Roberts Hall, a freshman dorm and one of the biggest and oldest buildings on campus, was not properly sealed off during the time when floor tiles were removed. Concerns over whether or not students may have been exposed to errant asbestos are also going to be addressed.

The abandoned asbestos mine located in Eden and Lowell, Vermont has been the topic of much discussion in recent days due to the discovery that residents living in close proximity of the mine have a twelve percent higher risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer.

It has now been reported by both state and federal officials that it could end up costing in upwards of $200 million to safely clean up the asbestos and other hazardous waste materials from the long abandoned mine.

Exposure to asbestos-containing materials can lead to a range of health problems with lasting effects. Many of these diseases do not show their presence until many years after initial exposure. For this reason treatment options are often very limited.

According to officials the state is hoping to be reimbursed for the clean up project from the two individual owners of the abandoned property.

It has been reported, though, that one of the companies who holds ownership in the mine is in the process of bankruptcy proceedings. An attorney speaking on behalf of the other company that has ownership interests in the property has stated that the company has minimal assets at this time. The Assistant Attorney General has estimated the costs of the clean up to range from $210 – $250 million.

A company based out of Massachusetts will be asking Tuesday for approval to build a $150 Million plant capable of burning wood that will be turned into electricity. The proposed plant would be built in East Springfield, Massachusetts and would be 110-feet tall with a 275-foot tall chimney that would house the buildings boiler.

Concern has arisen over the project due to the possibility that asbestos along with other toxins may be released into the surrounding air.

Exposure to asbestos-containing materials may result in the development of any one of a number of asbestos-related diseases. The long latency period of such diseases often leaves the inflicted with very few treatment options by the time they are diagnosed with the disease. Some of these asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

The company proposing the new structure, Palmer Renewable Energy LLC, claims that there is no cause for concern regarding the release of such toxic chemicals.

Board Chairman for the Zoning board of Appeals E. Henry Twiggs has stated that before making a decision regarding the new structure he must hear more information concerning the issue of the release of such emissions. The issue was furthered discussed at a meeting on November 24th at the city hall.

The discovery of additional asbestos along with requests that work only be conducted between the hours of 7:30 and 3:30 at the parking garage in Hicksville, New York cited for demolition will delay the project for approximately two more months.

The additional asbestos was said to be found in four of the structures stairwells and in material used for waterproofing in the underground area of the garage. Following the discovery experts were hired to closer examine the materials and an asbestos abatement plan was formed and later approved by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Exposure to asbestos-containing materials has been known to lead to a range of health problems including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Due to the long latency period of such diseases treatment options are often very limited by the time diagnosis occurs. Such diseases are often fatal only a short time following initial diagnosis.

Certified asbestos removal crews will remove the asbestos and transport the dangerous materials safely to a disposal site. Following the removal of the asbestos located in the stairwells they will be demolished and the remainder of the asbestos in the underground portion of the structure will be dug out and the whole filled. Residents feel that because their safety is at hand the project should not be rushed. The completion date for the project has now been moved to January 16, 2009.

A hazardous chemical leak at a plant in Alsip, Illinois during a fire last week may have resulted in the release of asbestos fibers into the air. The risk of the presence of the dangerous toxin could possibly keep the plant closed for an extended amount of time.

Blue Island Phenol manufactures at its plant phenol that as used in herbicides, acetone, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

According to officials the damage that was done during the fire likely released the fibers into the air as well as into the groundwater and soil near the property.

Exposure to asbestos-containing materials can result in a number of asbestos-related health problems. Diseases that can be attributed to the dangerous material include asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. The long latency period of such diseases often leaves the inflicted with limited options regarding effective treatment. Such disease could take up to 50 years before they fully develop enough to be diagnosed.

Based on an agreement between the office of Attorney General Lisa Maddigan and Blue Island Phenol the areas in which asbestos is present will be cordoned off in order to prevent anyone from gaining access and possible exposure to asbestos fibers. Attorney General Lisa Maddigan has stated that she feels the plant should remain closed until a full investigation into the cause of the accident can be completed.

According to recent reports officials of Lockheed Martin have agreed to relocate those residing in close proximity to the former beryllium plant in Tallevast, Florida due to the residents concerns over asbestos exposure. The two buildings located on the site are in the process of being demolished which is what led to the residents concern.

Although Lockheed Martin has explained the extensive precautions it intends on taking to the community regarding the release of asbestos and beryllium the residents are still highly concerned about their safety.

Asbestos exposure may cause a number of lung diseases that often results in the death of the diagnosed. Diseases caused by the harmful material include asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Because of the long latency period of these diseases treatment options are often limited by the time diagnosis occurs.

Due to the repeated notifications of residents’ concerns the company has decided to temporarily relocate nearby residents to hotels until the demolition is completed. Lockheed Martin has stated that any residents in the community who wish to be relocated will be.

The demolition of the buildings is expected to be completed in time for the Christmas holiday. The buildings, which were once part of the American Beryllium Co. are located at 1600 Tallevast Road. Extensive air monitoring will be conducted throughout the demolition process in order to ensure that pollutants are not released into the air.

An explosion at the Branch Inn in Pueblo, Colorado that caused fear of asbestos exposure was caused by a gas leak, according to new reports. Officials of the Pueblo Fire Department have stated that the leak was in a feeder line under C Street, where the inn was located.

According to officials there was a minimal amount of asbestos in the floor tiles and floor tile adhesive inside the Branch Inn but they stressed that no amount of asbestos was present in the air surrounding the building either immediately after the explosion or the few days following the explosion.

Asbestos exposure has been known to lead to a number of asbestos-related lung diseases. These diseases include asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Due to the long latency period present in such diseases effective treatment options are often limited. Often the diseases are fatal within a short time following initial diagnosis.

The removal of hazardous materials has been completed at the Visitor’s Center of Mount Rainier National Park located in Washington. The removal of the hazardous materials from the 60,000-square-foot building, including those containing asbestos, has been going on since late September in preparation for the buildings demolition.

Removal of harmful asbestos containing materials before demolition is necessary so as dangerous asbestos fibers do not become airborne. Individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers have a significant risk of developing one of a number of asbestos-related diseases. Those diseases include but are not limited to asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Although the demolition was not initially expected to begin until spring it is now set to begin today due to the fact that hazardous waste removal was completed by crews earlier than anticipated.

Purportedly a wrecking ball will be used to demolish the roof and explosives to bring down the remainder of the building. The new Visitor’s Center opened up for business in October of this year and is only 18,000-sqaure-feet. With the significantly smaller size officials are estimating a seventy-five percent smaller carbon footprint and an annual savings in energy of approximately $145,000.

Residents living in the Marshall Place neighborhood of Newport News, Virginia are concerned about the presence of asbestos in a nearby former industrial plant site. Demolition began approximately three weeks ago at Mariner’s Watch which led to the residents concern that asbestos containing materials may not be being handled properly.

According to city officials, though, the materials are being accounted for and handled the way they are supposed to be handled. City officials have stated that the state Department of Environmental Quality and the United States Environmental Protection Agency are both working closely with the construction crews in order to be sure that all dangerous materials are being removed and disposed of according to regulations.

It has also been stated by a Department of Environmental Quality manager that the work conducted on the former industrial site will be checked this week by a pollution inspector. He also has stated that the owner of the property will be required to submit proof to the city that any asbestos containing materials were disposed of in the correct manner.

Asbestos not disposed of properly may become airborne and pose a significant risk of exposure to those in the immediate area. Asbestos exposure can cause a range of health problems including asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

The demolition of the building is said to be a step in the preparation for the development of an upscale residential complex project.