City officials in Hagerstown, Maryland say the former Municipal Electric Light Plant in the town could be posing a serious health threat to anyone who trespasses on the property.

According to an article in The Herald Mail, city councilpersons have decided to build a fence around the abandoned property until they can decide how it will be razed. The fence has been prompted by the fact that the inside of the power plant is most likely filled with loose asbestos, which can cause serious pulmonary problems for anyone who is exposed to the toxic mineral. Power plants constructed before 1980 traditionally made liberal use of asbestos due to its fire- and heat-resistant properties.

City officials have said that the building has been the site of periodic break-ins and, in addition, homeless people sometimes live there amidst the rubble and asbestos dust.

Because the building probably has a lot of asbestos, Councilman Lewis Metzner said he estimated the demolition cost would reach well into the seven-figure range. It is essential to ensure that the city brokers a deal with the owners so taxpayers don’t get stuck with the bill, he said. In the meantime, he stressed, it is of the utmost importance to keep trespassers away from the asbestos-contaminated property while the city council ponders how to pay for the demolition.

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