EPA team studies El Dorado asbestos

Sacramento Bee ^ | February 23, 2004 | Chris Bowman

[farmfriend]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering Superfund cleanups of El Dorado Hills schoolyards, parks and other public grounds contaminated with asbestos, the result of foothill development carved through veins of the hazardous minerals.

EPA officials said they initially will evaluate the Community Center, Rolling Hills Middle School and Silva Valley Elementary School for possible inclusion on the National Priority List of Superfund sites, an uncoveted designation but one that brings significant federal dollars for toxic cleanups. The agency currently has no plans to inspect housing tracts and other private developments.

[farmfriend]

Previous articles"

El Dorado hiring asbestos expert
Posted on 04/09/2003

Oak Ridge High still has 'very high' asbestos levels
Posted on 01/10/2004

EPA orders more asbestos work at school
Posted on 01/21/2004

Asbestos still dogs El Dorado school
Posted on 01/25/2004

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[Carry_Okie]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering Superfund cleanups of El Dorado Hills schoolyards, parks and other public grounds contaminated with asbestos, the result of foothill development carved through veins of the hazardous minerals.

Oh dear, there's a whole MOUNTAIN of the stuff... they'll be employed forever!

Dear God, help us, please.

[backhoe]

The asbestos scare was one of the great Frauds, Scams, and Cons of the last century:

Scams, Scalawags, and an all-too-gullible Public...famous frauds sold to America

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[Cuttnhorse]

Unfortunately, the EPA has lost all credibility and now when something like this actually may have some merit, everyone immediately digs in their heels and are skeptical.

Short fiber asbestos is nothing to fool with and it does occur naturally in the ultra mafic rocks of the California foothills. The problem the EPA faces is that the stuff is everywhere...what will they do, make everyone move??

[lewislynn]

EPA faces is that the stuff is everywhere...what will they do, make everyone move??

They'll do what they were destined to do...stop growth and restrict room additions, pools or anything else that could possibly disturb the soil.

[Carry_Okie]

Short fiber asbestos is nothing to fool with and it does occur naturally in the ultra mafic rocks of the California foothills. The problem the EPA faces is that the stuff is everywhere...what will they do, make everyone move??

Here's a clue: It's not legitimately EPA's problem. If the owners choose to purchase and use land bearing an inherent risk of asbestos exposure, don't you think that's their right as long as they own the consequences? Heck, we might actually learn that the whole problem was overblown (an outcome EPA could never allow). Of course, there is probably enough forensic and statistical data available in El Dorado County to make that case incontravertably.

My bet is that some of the residents may well be forced to move, as part and participal to the environmentally destructive real estate and resource racketeering scam that civic environmentalism has largely become.

[editor-surveyor]

"Oh dear, there's a whole MOUNTAIN of the stuff... they'll be employed forever!"

You're more right than you may realize. Asbestos occurs naturally in most soils of the mountainous regions of the west. If this is allowed to establish a precedent, we may have to vacuum clean California daily!

The reality is that this whole thing is likely an attempt to get funding reauthorized for super-fund.

[Cuttnhorse]

You are exactly right, it is not a federal or any government problem. If a home owner did not properly inspect the property before buying, and finds out later there is something nasty on the site, he has legal avenues.

It is certainly not a federal issue.

[editor-surveyor]

"If the owners choose to purchase and use land bearing an inherent risk of asbestos exposure, don't you think that's their right as long as they own the consequences?"

Sounds like you've finally come around to my line of thinking. :o)

[Cuttnhorse]

Asbestos occurs naturally in most soils of the mountainous regions of the west.

It isn't all that common, it is pretty much restricted to the sepentine belts in California, both in parts of the Coast Range and the foothill Sierra, and it also is found in very "basic" rocks in parts of Canada, and even in Montana. But a lot of this stuff outside the serpentine belts is the "long-fiber" variety. None of it is very good for humanoids, (or doggieoids), but I suspect the entire danger is way over exagerated...as usual.

[Carry_Okie]

No.

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!

[editor-surveyor]

That may be the shortest reply you've ever posted.

[Carry_Okie]

Lol

No.