The Pennsylvania Observer-Reporter recently reported that a home approved for a fire department practice burn contained asbestos; samples of the home collected for a required Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test were allegedly tampered with to hide the presence of asbestos.
Two volunteer firemen, both veterans of the MacDonald, PA fire department and assistant chiefs, were implicated in a criminal affidavit that claims they were aware from a first test that asbestos was present in the exterior siding – and then advised a third party to take a second test avoiding the siding and only submit the second test with their burn permit application to the EPA.
Two days after the burn, the EPA’s emergency response unit tested the site in response to reports of toxic smoke and found evidence of asbestos in the rubble. Because smoke and ash debris covered the area, it is probable that onlookers and other firefighters were exposed to asbestos.
The men face charges of arson, causing or risking a catastrophe, unlawful conduct, criminal conspiracy, and other possible charges.
This situation raises a number of questions:
- Why would volunteer firefighters, both highly commended, take such an alleged risk with public safety?
- Why is it, after decades of warnings and legislation about asbestos, is it still being released into our environment?
- How many more victims of asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma, do there have to be? Can we hope for an end anytime soon?
Please chime in with your comments.
Tags: asbestos, EPA, fire department, mesothelioma
