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July 12, 2013
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - During the on-going clean up efforts of the deadly Philadelphia collapse that claimed six lives in June contractors discovered asbestos debris among the rubble. Uncovering asbestos from the collapsed building has raised some serious questions: chiefly, how did the owners of the building receive the proper demolition permits with asbestos still on the premises?
According to reports submitted in January 2013 by STB Investment Corp. – owner of the collapsed building – asbestos was not found at the site. Kenneth Hudson, an accredited inspector, conducted an asbestos assessment of the property.
After the collapse, STB Investment Corp. hired Geppert Bros. Inc. to begin clean up efforts. A subcontractor began removing asbestos from the debris last week.
James F. Kenney, Philadelphia City Councilman said that the report submitted by STB Investment Corp. back in January “isn't worth the paper it was written on.”
Immediately following the deadly collapse, fire fighters, police, emergency medical technicians and other first responders began sifting through the rubble for survivors. Since paperwork filed with the city claimed the site was free from asbestos contamination, the first responders did not wear gear that would protect them from asbestos exposure.
Further, it is not known what state the asbestos debris was in since it was removed last week by contractors. If the asbestos was damaged during the collapse or during the initial clean up efforts, then any person who has come into contact with the site may have been unintentionally exposed.
Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleura or the protective lining surrounding the lungs. Tiny airborne asbestos particles lodge in the pleura causing widespread damage.
Is rare that pleural mesothelioma develops after a short asbestos exposure episode, as it is the case with the Philadelphia collapse. However, in some cases, breathing in asbestos contaminated air once can later develop into mesothelioma.
At this time, it is unclear whether legal action will be taken against STB Investment Corp. or any other parties involved in the emerging asbestos scandal.
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