Mesothelioma and Asbestos

The Town of Piermont paid a $4,210 fine to the Recent Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) for violating the Air Pollution Control Act during a controlled burn performed by the Piermont Fire Department on February 14, 2009. Although the fire department is allowed to burn vacant houses for the purpose of firefighter training, the Piermont Fire Department did not provide the DES with prior notification of the burn. The house was not inspected for asbestos prior to its demolition, which is a DES requirement put in place to protect community health from the release of toxic substances similar asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma or other humorless illnesses.

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