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Mass Demolitions No Asbestos Removal Mesothelioma Cuyahoga County Land BankSubmitted by Gone Fishin on Tue, 11/26/2013 - 07:10.
Demolition May Raise Mesothelioma Risk
The above property located at 6808 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio was demolished on October 15, 2013. Approximately one week prior to the demolition, two EPA inspectors were at the property collecting samples to test for asbestos. One of the EPA inspectors stated that the floor tile was definetely asbestos, and placed a piece of the tile in a clear bag for further testing prior to the demolition. The other EPA inspector sat in his car for approximately one hour playing around on his cell phone- laughing with the other party on his phone. The EPA inspector who collected the asbestos sample stated that the demolition would take place in approximately one month and would require costly asbestos removal. No asbestos removal was made on this property which was demolished within days of the EPA asbestos inspection. Why bother to test for asbestos by sending two inspectors to the property, when no asbestos would be removed anyway?
The historic John Marshal school was also demolished minus any asbestos removal, according to Satinder P. S. Puri:
Photo courtesty of Satinder P.S. Puri
It is a known FACT that asbestos dust causes fatal Mesothelioma.
The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in response to allegations that the Agency has authorized the use of unapproved methods to demolish buildings containing asbestos, has issued a warning reiterating previous findings that “asbestos is a human carcinogen with no safe level of exposure.” Inspector General Arthur A. Elkins Jr. adds, “Asbestos exposure can lead to serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.” Mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases result when asbestos is improperly managed. When asbestos fibers and dust become airborne they can put pedestrians and residents occupying areas near a demolition project at high risk of contracting a deadly, asbestos-related illnesses. http://www.mesorfa.info/epa-inspector-general-says-asbestos-at-all-levels-causes-mesothelioma/
What is particularly disturbing is that asbestos exposure—which is prevalent among demolition crews—causes 90% of the cases of mesothelioma. Also of concern is that symptoms may not appear until decades later—in some instances fifty years. http://clarklawnj.com/mesothelioma-and-demolition-workers/
What is Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma Definition Mesothelioma is an uncommon disease that causes malignant cancer cells to form within the lining of the chest, abdomen, or around the heart. Its primary cause is believed to be exposure to asbestos.
Description
Malignant mesothelioma is also known as asbestos cancer or simply "meso." Mesothelioma causes cancerous cells to develop in the body's mesothelium, where they can spread to and damage vital organs and tissue. These malignant cells can also metastasize to other regions of the body. Mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose and responds poorly to most treatment modalities, accounting for a poor prognosis.
The disease derives its name from the mesothelium, a sac-like membrane that protects most of the body's internal organs. It is divided into two distinct protective layers of cells: the visceral (the layer directly surrounding the organ) and the parietal (a sac around the body cavity). By releasing a lubricating fluid, the mesothelium allows the organs to move more freely within the body cavity; for example, the contraction and expansion of the lungs. The mesothelium is also referred to according to where it is located in the body: pleura (chest), peritoneum (abdomen), and pericardium (heart).
Over two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases begin in the pleura region. Pleural mesothelioma spreads through the chest cavity, occasionally developing in the lungs as well. The disease most commonly causes pleural effusion, an excess build-up of fluid inside the chest cavity. This excess fluid increases pressure on the lungs and restricts breathing. In addition, malignant cells can cause the pleural lining to thicken and restrict the breathing space even further.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of the disease, accounting for less than 30% of all cases. Malignant cells form in the peritoneum, affecting the abdomen, bowel, liver, and spleen. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, the disease also causes a build up of excess fluid in the abdominal cavity. Normal bodily functions, such as digestion, can be hindered by the obstruction of organ movement.
Very rare forms of mesothelioma occur in the pericardium, as well as the mesothelium of the male and female reproductive organs. Cystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum, another rare form of the disease, occurs predominantly in women and is more benign in nature.
Malignant mesothelioma takes the form of one of three cell-types: epithelioid (50% to 70% of cases), sarcomatous (7% to 20% of cases), and biphasic/mixed (20% to 35% of cases). Of these cell-types, epithelioid mesothelioma carries the most favorable prognosis, followed by biphasic, and finally sarcomatous (very aggressive).
Mesothelioma remains relatively uncommon in the United States, with approximately 2,500 new cases reported annually. The incidence rates are much higher in Western Europe (over 5,000 cases reported annually). These numbers are expended to climb dramatically over the next 20 years. Older males (median age 60 at diagnosis) are three to five times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is most like do to male predominance in those professions with an increased risk of asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is directly related to asbestos dust. The EPA has enforced strict regulations regarding the removal of asbestos prior to demolitions to protect the community from fatal Mesothelioma; However, the strict regulations are not being followed in Cuyahoga County.
The Cuyahoga County Land Bank is now encouraging folks to send letters to the EPA to stop the "Government Overreach" relative to asbestos removal prior to demolitions:
We Need Your Help!
Posted on November 14, 2013
The Cuyahoga Land Bank requests your consideration and support of an important development concerning vacant and abandoned properties in Ohio.
 Ohio EPA has recently proposed new demolition guidance for small residential structures that embrace the “residential exemption” found in the federal asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for demolition. This guidance provides a reasonable and carefully considered balance between the need to protect the community from unreasonable asbestos exposure versus the more serious and present danger of vacant, vandalized and abandoned houses.As many of you know, U.S. EPA’s current interpretation of the asbestos NESHAP inexplicably no longer recognizes this “residential exemption” despite the fact that it is expressly provided for in the plain language of the federal regulation. As a result of U.S. EPA’s overreach in this area, Ohio communities and land banks have spent millions of dollars to comply with regulations that do not impact environmental safety and that rightfully should not apply to scattered site demolitions of nuisance structures. Ohio EPA, on the other hand, has offered a reasonable compromise which we fully support. As Ohio EPA considers the official release of this guidance document, we would like to show statewide support of our Ohio EPA from stakeholders affected by U.S. EPA’s current misinterpretation of the asbestos NESHAP. Ohio EPA’s proposed guidance can be downloaded here. A sample letter of support for the demolition guidance can be found here. So that we may deliver your letters directly to Governor Kasich, Ohio EPA The Cuyahoga County Land Bank desires to continue their demolition crusade by demolishing everything in sight; however they have no desire to protect the community by following EPA regulations to remove asbestos.
Demolitions have been proven to increase the risk of Mesothelioma.
Asbestos: The dust of death set to kill 6,000 each year
Mother-of-two who used to welcome home her shipyard worker dad with a hug dies of lung cancer after breathing in his asbestos-ridden clothes
The above are only a FEW examples of deaths caused by asbestos dust. It is common sense that demolitions on older buildings - which all contain asbestos- is a threat to the health of our community.
DETROIT: Dearborn resident sentenced for demolishing warehouse without removing asbestos
DETROIT — A man who authorities said took a shortcut while demolishing a warehouse in Dearborn last year has landed in federal prison. http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2013/11/22/news/doc528e7ef95dd0e857071618.txt
Asbestos abatement costs slow Ohio demolition plans
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The Department of Energy, which oversees the Hanford Nuclear cleanup in Eastern Washington, got slapped with a $115,000 fine for violations in its asbestos disposal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced earlier this week that its inspectors at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation found improperly managed asbestos in 19 of 22 samples taken at demolition sites.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detroit demolition plan halted due to asbestos concerns
Representatives from the City of Detroit, Michigan, meant well, but nearly put lives in danger recently with plans to demolish around 3,000 dilapidated homes and other buildings in a blighted area. The project, whose ultimate goal was to remove 10,000 dangerous abandoned buildings over the next four years and eliminate risks like collapse, fire and disease, was featured in the local newspaper, the Detroit Free Press. As it turned out, someone from the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment was reading, and the story raised a red flag. After a quick investigation, DNRE spokesman Robert McCann told the Free Press the agency discovered the City had not completed required asbestos inspections on the properties scheduled for demolition. The City also had not notified the state – which is required by law – of the planned demolition. The planned project was halted April 5, and City officials met with DNRE representatives to learn what they should do. According to the Free Press, representatives from the City said they were unaware they were violating any federal regulations, and said the City has not had a history of inspecting buildings for the presence of asbestos before demolition under past administrations. The current Mayor is Dave Bing. Some demolition occurred before DNRE officials were able to call a halt; however, subsequent asbestos testing did not find any asbestos present. The project is under the direction of the City’s Buildings and Safety Engineering Department. The houses planned for demolition are located in southwest Detroit. The City still plans to demolish 3,000 structures by the end of this year, and 10,000 structures during the next four years. Federal regulations require that businesses or individuals planning demolition first test the structure for the presence of asbestos, remove any asbestos that is found using approved abatement procedures to ensure the safety of workers and the public, and provide a 10-day notice to the DNRE before beginning demolition. Violations could incur fines of up to $27,500 per day, and jail time.
http://mesothelioma-blog-article.blogspot.com/2012/10/detroit-demolition-plan-halted-due-to.html
Asbestos is a dangerous environmental and workplace carcinogenic (cancer-causing) physical agent. Asbestos causes lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the pluera - lining of the lung) and asbestosis. Minor, incidental, non-occupational exposures to asbestos have been associated with mesothelioma after latency periods as long as (or longer than) 40 years.
Ending asbestos emissions control enforcement will dramatically increase asbestos emissions from demolition and renovation activities, jeopardizing worker and public health. Mishandling of asbestos waste will also increase asbestos emissions from waste hauling vehicles and landfill operations.
***Please contact Governor Kasich and the Ohio EPA to express your concerns relative to numerous demolitions in our county without asbestos removal.*** Continuing to demolish property - minus asbestos removal - is a fatal mistake.
Governor John Kasich Riffe Center, 30th Floor 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6117 Phone: (614) 466-3555 Lt. Governor Mary Taylor Riffe Center, 30th Floor 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6117 http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx
Ohio EPA http://www.epa.state.oh.us/Contact.aspx
** My blogs expressing my freedom of speech rights - especially on matters of public concern - are my opinion and not the opinion of my friends , family, or employer **
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Pollution on the John Marshall High School project
Lily, on the John Marshall High School project – Evans the demolition contractor (from Cincinnati) had open house on polluting the environment. Complaints made to the Ohio EPA -- with photographs showing dust all over – were completely ignored.
The air was so polluted that I had to wear a protective mask. The demolition contractor showed no concern for the workers who were made to work in the polluted environment without any protective masks.
Ohio EPA claims that their inspectors visited the facility twice to inspect compliance of asbestos removal with the EPA regulations. But they forget to tell me that both were dud visits. On the first visit -- the facility was closed and the contractor could not get in. On the second visit the contractor was not there – and nothing was inspected.
Ohio EPA appeared to be working hand-in-hand with the demolition contractor and against the interest of the community. Multiple requests to have the air monitored for presence of harmful pollutants were denied.
Asbestos Cement shingle siding
This is an extremely hazardous neighborhood air quality issue. Also an issue for the landfill workers. Ground up asbestos cement shingle siding - an absolute lung cancer issue.
Who was the demolition contractor?
Who inspected from the city of Cleveland?
Were is the EPA record for the two fellows who came to the site before the demo and identified VAT (vinyl asbestos tile?
Our public workers are so often co-opted by laziness and go-along-to-get-along corruption. Our taxes just screw us twice - once when we pay them, a second time when the service our taxes is intended to perform is prostituted.
Class Action Lawsuit
The residents of Cuyahoga County should file a class action lawsuit:
Residents near Demolished School Building Can File Asbestos Lawsuit
http://mesotheliomasurvivalrate.com/mesothelioma-blog/?p=320
If the land bank desires to avoid EPA regulation of asbestos removal, then an employee of the land bank must be present at every single demolition- with no protective gear.
I nominate Gus Frangos.
* My blogs expressing my Freedom of Speech Rights, especially on matters of public concern, are my opinion and not the opinion of my friends, family or employer*
Demolition- Satka family - Gus Frangos friend
This demoliton was by Progressive Demolition , which is owned by the Satka family. (friends of Gus Frangos- President of the Cuyahoga County Land Bank)
When I questioned one of the workers about the EPA inspectors stating that the floor tile was asbestos and needed to be removed prior to the demolition, he told me that the city would not have issued a demolition permit if that were true. He told me the siding was not asbestos when I questioned him. He also told me that Progressive Demolition had recently received 77 demolition contracts.
13405 LAKE AVENUE
LAKEWOOD,OH 44107
Effective Date: 05/15/2013
Contact Status: Active
From one of my older blogs:
http://realneo.us/content/gus-frangos-president-cuyahoga-county-land-bank-con-artist-jesus
* My blogs expressing my Freedom of Speech Rights, especially on matters of public concern, are my opinion and not the opinion of my friends, family or employer*