Residents in Stratford, CT are expressing growing concerns regarding the asbestos-contaminated soil at local parks, baseball fields and at the site of the former Raybestos-Manhattan brake factory.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the excavation of over 20 different contaminated sites in the city back in 2007. EPA “capped” the former brake factory several years ago after detecting asbestos in the soil, and a nearby softball field that was also deemed contaminated was closed in 1992. Residents say they want the soil cleaned up, but are afraid that excavating the contaminated sites would release asbestos into the air and cause serious health issues, including asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer.EPA spokesman Jim Murphy stated the complete detoxification of the soul would cost well over $60 million dollars, and that capping contaminated areas is an affordable and safe way to prevent asbestos poisoning.   

Three men have been accused of illegally dumping asbestos-contaminated waste into the Green Swamp in Auburndale, Florida. Thomas C. Barnhill, Warren “Greg” Gay and Ronnie Lee Spears were arrested after a tip was phoned in to the Environmental Crime Reporting Line.The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducted an investigation at the swamp in August and discovered that an estimated 43 containers of asbestos waste taken from dorms at Florida Southern College in Lakeland were dumped into the swamp. The contaminated waste included floor and ceiling tiles, and DEP officials estimate that the waste was dumped between July 3rd and July 23rd. The Winter Haven Office of Florida Environmental Compliance Corporation, Inc. (FECC Inc.) was responsible for the illegal dumping. The DEP stated that the illegal dumping occurred because the FECC Inc. did not want to pay landfill fees. The FECC Inc. reportedly saved about $11,000 by illegally disposing of asbestos.Barnhill, Gay and Spears remain in Polk County jail. The DEP is expected to press civil charges against the FECC Inc. as a result of the illegal dumping and violation of Florida wetlands regulations.   

Asbestos found at Chicago’s Michael Reese Hospital may delay the sale of the land and the eventual construction of the 2016 Olympic Village, according to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.Mayor Daley proposed the $85 million dollar purchase of the hospital campus and anticipated beginning demo and construction on the Olympic Village, an endeavor that would cost an estimated $1.1 billion dollars to complete over the next four years. Asbestos discovered inside hospital buildings will not only require abatement services, but will also increase the budget and delay demolition.Cost of demolishing the hospital were initially set at about $20 million, and additional abatement and removal services will most likely bring the cost up to $32 million. The Olympic Committee is now attempting to renegotiate the purchase price of the 27 buildings on the future Olympic Village site.   

Crews have begun removing asbestos at the former Kings Mountain Hospital in Bristol, VA on Tuesday after a court decided on a timetable for removal, disposal and demolition.A spokesman for Cochran Enterprises, Inc. went before a judge and stated that the asbestos removal would take about a month to complete, with subsequent demo taking about a week. All debris would be removed from the site after demo in less than a month. Cochran Enterprises, Inc. owns the site where demo will take place and has hired outside companies to handle abatement and cleanup.

The city of Bristol will only issue a permit for demolition after all asbestos has been safely removed by a certified abatement company and tests for air quality and safety have been conducted at the site.

The first day of school for students at Anne Hutchinson School in Eastchester, NY will be delayed due to asbestos cleanup.

Marilyn Terranova, Superintendent of schools, stated that asbestos had been found in ceiling tiles after the roof & ceiling sustained water damage during a construction project. The ceiling on the second floor will undergo asbestos removal and will have to be replaced.

“It has taken a little bit longer to get the cleanup plan approved,” Superintendent Terranova said. Terranova also stated that the total cleanup costs are unknown at this time, but the contractor that handled the initial roof renovations will cover the cost for asbestos removal and ceiling replacement.

The 430 elementary school students who attend Anne Hutchinson will be starting school at nearby Greenvale Elementary. The district will be holding an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd for parents at Eastchester High School.

Students are expected to be back at Anne Hutchinson on September 8th.