The ADEQ is launching the Route 66 Asbestos Initiative to help communities along old Route 66 in Northern Arizona deal with asbestos problems.
ADEQ Director Steve Owens said that recent problems with asbestos in Winslow, Holbrook & elsewhere in rural Arizona show the need for a targeted effort by ADEQ to work with communities to address potential asbestos problems & ensure that asbestos-containing material (known as ACM) is handled & disposed of properly to reduce the risk of exposure to cancer-causing asbestos fibers.
Many older buildings & structures along the Route 66 corridor were built during an era in which asbestos was used as a fireproofing insulating material. When these buildings & structures are renovated or demolished, the asbestos can become crumbled and friable. If the asbestos is not dealt with properly, people can breathe the asbestos fibers, where they can be lodged in the lungs & result in lung cancer or other serious respiratory problems.
Director Owens pointed out that ADEQ has been involved in 2 recent matters involving asbestos along Route 66 in Northern Arizona:
(1) the clean-up of the Standin' on the Corner park site in Winslow, where ADEQ provided technical assistance & funding to Winslow to clean up asbestos-containing rubble from a building fire, &;
(2) the removal of asbestos-laden debris from the demolition of a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) dormitory in Holbrook, where ADEQ issued an asbestos clean-up order to the contractor & has overseen the clean-up effort.
As part of the asbestos initiative, ADEQ has designated an outreach specialist in its air-quality division to provide technical assistance, outreach & asbestos education to rural communities.
ADEQ also is adding an additional asbestos inspector & is ensuring that its community liaisons & staff in its regional offices are trained to help communities address asbestos-related issues.
The Route 66 Asbestos Initiative is part of a larger effort being conducted by ADEQ to address asbestos problems throughout rural Arizona.