Asbestos Problem Plagues Philadephia Housing Authority
Illegal removal and disposal of asbestos pipes has placed the Philadelphia Housing Authority in hot water for potentially exposing employees and the public to the possibly hazardous material
Plumbers removed leaky pipes from a resident’s home and left the rusty pipes – covered in a white gauzelike material – on the front patio. One resident removed the asbestos-covered debris with her bare hands, disposing of the pipes in her normal garbage.
The white gauzelike material may be asbestos, a hazardous substance with potentially deadly consequences if torn or disturbed. Asbestos exposure has been linked to the lung cancer mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other serious health related diseases.
This is one of many cases that have been alleged against PHA workers, who may have been responsible for improperly removing and disposing of asbestos covered heating and plumping pipes.
Local and federal laws state only trained professionals are licensed to remove and dispose of asbestos in public buildings. Asbestos debris must be enclosed in a sealed bag and then transported to special landfills.
Because of the implications, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched a formal criminal investigation researching the allegations. PHA may be liable for putting many at risk of asbestos exposure if the allegations prove to be true.
Former employees have also files complaints against the housing authority, backing the current allegations. Some employees, such as former PHA plumber, David Poulterer, accuse the PHA of suspending them without pay for complaining about the illegal asbestos handling.
The city Health Department also found asbestos fibers in apartments that the PHA had reported were clean of asbestos fibers. The Health Department has demanded that the PHA return and re-inspect the homes due to the discrepancy in the reports.
The Philadelphia Daily News reported a resident described the experience. Channel Saunders claimed that the PHA was “much more concerned about me talking to the Daily News than about the health and safety of me and my children.” Saunders resides in one of the affected apartments with her four children, aged 9, 5, 2 and 2 months.
Because mesothelioma typically manifests 20 or 30 years after exposure, it is difficult to accurately determine how these recent events will affect those involved. Ongoing investigations will determine the asbestos level and whether additional apartments may be at risk as well.
Additional information about a potential mesothelioma law suit or finding an experienced mesothelioma attorney can be accessed for free at http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/. LegalView.info is a leading online resource for all things legal.
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