Residents of Davidson, North Carolina are suddenly dealing with very real concerns about malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases after learning that their neighborhood was build adjacent to and above an asbestos dumping site. Though officials from the Division of Waste Management held a meeting to discuss long-term plans and provide assurances, few of the neighbors walked away feeling confident about their future.
Neighbors Learn of Long-Time Asbestos Burial
When neighbors concerned about malignant mesothelioma attended the local meeting this week, they learned that the site they now think of as the Davidson Depot was once the home of the Carolina Asbestos Corporation, where asbestos tiles, fabric and shingles were fabricated decades ago.
Not only was the building an asbestos products factory, but the company also dumped the material throughout the area. Though the underground asbestos pile had been capped, a leak developed in 2017, which compelled a significant abatement action on the part of the Department of Environmental Quality as well as the waste management division, but officials say that removal of all of the carcinogenic material was impossible.
Asbestos Contamination Goes Beyond Factory Site
Making concerns about mesothelioma even more severe was what Superfund Section Chief James Eateson told the group about the extent of the asbestos contamination. He said that the only way to remove all of the asbestos would be to destroy their homes, as the asbestos had not just been contained to the old factory site.
Though officials told residents that the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases was minimal unless they dug in their yards, neighbors pointed out that they had been living in the neighborhood for years, and that it was too late. As one woman said, “It’s already been done. This is 40 to 50 years late.” Now all they can do is wait and wonder if the disease, which often takes decades to appear, will strike them or their loved ones.
The negligent use of asbestos continues to cause illnesses like malignant mesothelioma, even decades later. If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and you need information about the resources available to you, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
