Hurricane Creates Asbestos Threat in New Jersey

New Jersey residents, workers, and volunteers doing cleanup after Hurricane Sandy are risking asbestos exposure, among other hidden health dangers, say state and federal officials.

Besides asbestos, there is also the threat of lead and mold exposure, noted panelists at a safety forum in a Wall Township, N.J. union headquarters, according to a recent post in the NJ.com blog. The panel included experts from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"We want to make sure that as the cleanup is occurring that there are not problems with exposure to mold, exposure to lead, exposure to asbestos," said Judith Enck, regional administrator for the EPA.

Cheap, durable, and fireproof, asbestos was used extensively in building materials until the 1980s. It was phased it out because of its link to serious asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma cancer. After the September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina events, there were concerns about asbestos exposure for the rescue workers. It’s likely asbestos will again pose the same risks after Hurricane Sandy for cleanup crews and residents.

Have you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos? Call Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation about a mesothelioma lawsuit.

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