Activists in the college town of Ithaca, New York are raising serious concerns about whether the planned demolition of a historic library could lead to future mesothelioma diagnoses in their community. The Tompkins Library was originally built in 1867, more than a century before anybody knew that asbestos was a carcinogenic material. In those days, the mineral was used for insulation, as well as mixed in with other materials to ensure strength and resistance to fire. The building has been confirmed to be heavily contaminated with the hazardous material, yet structural weaknesses have led the developer who purchased the building to change their initial plan for remediation to a straightforward demolition, and safety experts say that doing so will spread asbestos fibers into the air and into the community.
While the situation continues to be debated, anybody who has been affected by mesothelioma knows that the concerns being expressed are very real. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and you need assistance, contact us today at 1-800-966-2244.
Author: Terri Oppenheimer
Terri Oppenheimer is an independent writer, editor, and proofreader. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Her dreams of a writing career were diverted by a need to pay her bills. She spent a few years providing the copy for a major retailer, then landed a lucrative career in advertising sales. With college bills for all three of her kids paid, she left corporate America for a return to her original goal of writing. She specializes in providing content for websites and finds tremendous enjoyment in the things she learns while doing her research. Her specific areas of interest include health and fitness, medical research, and the law.
