Asbestos Still Impacting Chicago and Illinois

Sept. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- Illinois, and in particular the Chicago area, has traditionally been one of the manufacturing centers for the United States.  The area became a major railhead, port and steel mill center.  With industry, the population swelled and made Illinois one of the most populous states in the union.

With the areas explosive growth in the twentieth century, came a construction boom in both residential properties as well as industrial and commercial centers.  Unfortunately, during the time of much of the boom, asbestos was being used in countless building materials.  Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was added to many products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.  Today, decades after restrictions on its use were implemented the region is still feeling the effects of asbestos.

From studies across the globe we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and debilitating diseases such as asbestosis. In a report from the Environmental Working Group it was found that, “Illinois has the seventh highest number of asbestos-related deaths among the 50 states, with as many as 2,607 people dying of such illnesses from 1979 to 2001, and 2,528 have gone to court seeking compensation…”

“Many products that contained asbestos, including countless building materials, are still present and can cause deadly cancers,” reported Ed Chambers, the President of EC2, Inc. (ec2), an Illinois based environmental consulting firm.   “Older homes and buildings still contain many of these materials. Asbestos can be found in some types of insulation, roofing, siding and even popcorn ceiling materials.  It is essential that any suspect materials be tested for asbestos to ensure people’s safety.”

A new public service video on asbestos supported by EC2 can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCpQYuK8ge8



To learn more about asbestos, environmental or indoor air quality (IAQ) issues please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

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About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 corporations.