Mesothelioma and Asbestos

The Town of Davie, Florida has decided to leave asbestos-cement pipes in place under the former Palma Nova mobile home site that will become a park, most likely reusing the pipes for the park’s water supply. The Utility Director stated that the pipes aren’t harmful at all because asbestos is only harmful when it becomes airborne. The town had paid $12.5 million for the 25 acres of property, as well as it doesn’t wish to pay another $30,600 to possess the asbestos pipes removed.

But some experts, similar the managing director of the Environmental Information Association, said that while asbestos-cement pipes can final 50 years, they can be damaged by too much chlorine as well as fluoride from the water treatment process. Incase the pipes are damaged, asbestos fibers could end up in the water supply. The experts recommended that the town should test the water for asbestos, because incase people end up ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers, they will be put at risk for humorless illnesses similar mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.

For the filled story, go to Sun Sentinel.