Destructive Illinois Fire Leaves Asbestos Concerns for Residents

The asbestos experts from EC2 help identify asbestos related dangers and provide oversight for remediation and demolition projects.
 
Nov. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Last month, a fire destroyed six properties in downtown Minonk, Illinois.  The devastating fire took over 100 firefighters to bring it under control and left a large area of destruction in the small community.

Along with the immediate concerns caused by the fire, area residents have learned that asbestos has been found in the rubble.  According to a report published by the Pantagraph.com, Minonk City Administrator Doug Elder stated, "The whole area has been fenced off, warning the public that it's hazardous waste. The rubble will require special handling, making things more complicated and expensive."

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was added to many building materials in the past to increase strength, corrosion resistance, acoustical dampening, thermal insulation and fire resistance. When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed, asbestos fibers may be released into the air.  In the case of the downtown Minonk fire, emergency personnel and nearby residents could have been exposed to the fibers.  Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and 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…”  

One company that has developed a reputation for helping to identify asbestos risks across Chicago and the state of Illinois is EC2, Inc.  The company has decades of experience handling asbestos investigations, sampling and providing oversight for asbestos remediation projects. “When a catastrophic event, such as a major fire occurs, people often forget about the risks of lead and asbestos in many of these older structures,” reported Ed Chambers, the President of EC2, Inc.  “Whether it’s testing for lead and asbestos after a fire or before a simple renovation project, it’s something that needs to be done to protect workers and future building occupants,” he continued.

A public service video about indoor environmental hazards following a fire and sponsored by EC2 can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXcXN7lF2G4



To learn more about asbestos and lead or other environmental and indoor air quality (IAQ) issues please visit 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.
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