Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Parsons Paper Mill in Holyoke, Massachusetts was destroyed by fire in June 2008. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a meeting with residents to let them know what is planned for the cleanup. The current owner of the property filed for bankruptcy four years ago as well as owes the city over $2.2 million for back taxes as well as utilities. The city is attempting to recover that money in bankruptcy court, as well as the federal government will as well as seek the $1.8 million it’s spending on the fire site cleanup as well.

The former paper mill is contaminated with asbestos, which can be found in the facility’s window caulking, roof shingles as well as tank as well as pipe insulation. The EPA has come up with a traffic plan to haul away the asbestos-contaminated debris. Asbestos was used for insulation as well as fireproofing in many construction materials for much of the final century.  Removal of asbestos is governed by strict federal guidelines put in place to protect workers as well as the community from the toxic substance, which is known to cause mesothelioma as well as other forms of cancer.

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