Department of Health Says Asbestos Site Not a Health Hazard
In an effort to address community concerns about an asbestos site in suburban Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recently issued a document which states that current exposures at and near the so-called BoRit site in Ambler pose “no apparent public health hazard to the community for cancer effects or no cancer effects.”
The document was released on July 14, adding that though current exposures at the site are not harmful to the public, “on-site exposures to asbestos fibers when on-site soils and asbestos-containing material are disturbed are a public health hazard to area residents.” The report also notes that increases in dry conditions during periods with little rain may increase the potential of asbestos fibers becoming airborne.
Local residents have been concerned about the site for years and local public health officials have long been calling for containment of the area, the article points out. A fact sheet, issued by the state Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and distributed to area home and business owners, states that this month EPA contractors have been onsite to prepare for cleanup activities at BoRit as part of the removal action program.
“Prior to enacting the planned containment and stabilization work, it was necessary to bring workers and machinery onsite to clear overgrown vegetation, repair fencing and begin building access roads,” the fact sheet stated.
The public has been encouraged to carefully read the fact sheet and direct any questions to the EPA’s local community office in Ambler.
