Mulch composed of ground-up demolition debris from the former Independent Tobacco Warehouse in Horse Cave, Kentucky may contain asbestos, according to a report released by the state Department for Environmental Protection.
According to the Division for Air Quality, all asbestos removal and subsequent demolition must be reported prior to occurring, but DAQ is now claiming that they were never informed of demo plans at the Independent Tobacco Warehouse and therefore no air quality samples or other asbestos testing occurred there prior to beginning demolition.
An Environmental Education Specialist at the DAQ stated that “health risks to those who picked up the material are considered to be minimal,” but all individuals who came into contact with the asbestos-containing mulch should arrange for removal by a professional abatement company to avoid further exposure.
Fines will be issued eventually to the company that handled demolition for failing to notify the proper environmental authorities before beginning the project.
