New Jersey firehouse to undergo asbestos abatement to allay mesothelioma worries
d Senior Services has extended the deadline by 30 days.
"We had asked for an extension because of the air tests…We needed to go out and hire someone to do so,” explained Mayor Patrick McHale. The town has until August 17 to complete the air tests, and remove the asbestos.
Contractors have lined up for the project, which will not go out to bid. The borough has received a proposal from Detail Associates, and is expecting to receive an estimate from A Mac Contracting. The Municipal Council will review the proposals this week.
During a May inspection, the asbestos was discovered in the firehouse’s basement and horn tower. And although these areas aren’t heavily frequented by firefighters, the town wishes to remove the asbestos, in order to ensure the firefighters’ safety.
Asbestos is a highly hazardous material, found in many older homes and buildings. When disturbed, the airborne particles pose a serious health risk to those exposed. Asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma have been known to form from extended exposure to the material.
Mesothelioma is the most aggressive asbestos related disease, which affects nearly 3,000 Americans each year. The disease forms from the mesothelium.
Symptoms of the disease, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, lie dormant for several decades. Because of this, even the best mesothelioma doctors struggle to diagnose patients in the early stages of their disease.
McHale believes removing the asbestos will be more cost-efficient than encapsulating it.
