Texas State Agency Receives Air-Quality Testing Grant
The Texas Department of State Health Services has recently received a grant that will allow them to conduct air quality testing at public sites where renovations or demolitions are taking place. The Environmental Protection Agency awarded a total of $360,000 that will be used to determine if the presence of asbestos as well as other toxins exists at any such public sites throughout the state.
When asbestos is released into the air dangerous asbestos fibers may be inhaled by those in close proximately which could result in the development of a number of asbestos-related diseases. Such diseases include but are not limited to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
Because these types of diseases typically do not show on diagnostic tests for twenty to fifty years there is only a very limited chance of finding effective treatment options for those diagnosed. Many times victims of such diseases will only live a short time following discovery.
According to officials states are in charge of ensuring that National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants are being enforced. It is also the responsibility of the states to ensure that contractors having an environmental license follow regulations regarding the removal of asbestos-containing materials.