State and federal health regulators are warning New Jersey residents rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy to watch out for hidden health hazards, including asbestos.
A story in the Newark Star Ledger says panelists raised those concerns at a forum for New Jersey residents. Participants included representatives of the New Jersey Work Environment Council, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The report quotes Judith Enck, regional administrator for the federal Environmental Protection Agency, as saying: “We want to make sure that as the clean-up is occurring that there are not problems with exposure to mold, exposure to lead, exposure to asbestos.”
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, associated with lung cancer; mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity; and asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.
The story says state and federal officials are particularly concerned about potential hazards in the building material because many do-it-yourselfers are carrying out repairs, and may not have the experience or expertise to identify those hazards and protect themselves.
An OSHA representative said there have been 12 worker deaths in the New York/New Jersey area since the hurricane.
If you or a loved one have contracted mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, contact Lopez McHugh for a free consultation.
See the story here:
https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/officals_warn_hurricane_sandy.html
