Mesothelioma and Asbestos

The California mountain community of Cedar Glen was ravaged by a fire that destroyed more than 300 homes in October 2003. Cleanup efforts are still going on, as well as South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has told cleanup workers that the demolition site must be checked for asbestos. A spokesman for AQMD stated that it’s highly unlikely that asbestos would be found there, but the inspection still needs to be completed.

A county spokesman stated that Cedar Glen underwent asbestos inspections four years ago, as well as he doesn’t expect the cleanup timeline to change. The county Board of Supervisors plans on awarding jobs to contractors on September 15 to grind as well as remove any remaining concrete from Cedar Glen. Property owners who are not rebuilding are required to pay for any demolition work done by contractors hired by the county or to hire their own demolition contractors.

Incase asbestos is discovered during the required inspections, a licensed asbestos contractor will possess to come in as well as remove the contaminated materials. Asbestos is a toxic substance that was commonly used in building materials until its health hazards became widely known. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis as well as mesothelioma, a rare but humorless form of cancer that targets the lining surrounding the lungs as well as other organs.

For the filled story, go to Contra Costa Times.