Iowa City, IO - As part of Iowa's rebuilding plans after the recent flood, the Environmental Protection Agency is testing air samples in several communities to determine if dangerous amounts of asbestos fibers are present.
The EPA is concerned that demolition projects for homes and structures too damaged from the flood to be fixed may cause the release of the cancerous particles into the air. The agency said it has been monitoring air levels for more than two weeks as a precautionary measure, similar to the procedures taken last year for the floods in Coffeeville, Kansas and for the tornado that recently hit Parkersburg, Iowa.
In Cedar Rapids, more than 40 homes have been identified as requiring demolition. However, officials don't think Iowa City will require such a high amount. An EPA on-scene coordinator said he didn't believe any of the homes he saw needed to be torn down.
Air samples collected in Iowa City so far have tested safe, but the EPA said it will remain cautious and continue testing air levels for a few more weeks.
According to the EPA website, asbestos has strong heat-resistance properties and was often used in the past in insulation materials. Because it is both light and strong, even a small amount can cause serious health conditions, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, if inhaled. However, symptoms for asbestos-related diseases take decades to show up.
The material is safe is undisturbed but renovation and demolition work like the projects in Iowa can break it and release airborne fibers.
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