The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to put Ambler, Pa. on the Superfund National Priorities List because a 32 acre tract was used as an asbestos trash heap from the 1930s to the 1970s.
According to a government press release, a nearby asbestos manufacturing plant used the Borit asbestos site to dump asbestos-laden waste. The acreage is divided into three parcels: an asbestos waste pile owned by Kane-Core Inc., a reservoir owned by Wassahickon Valley Watershed Association and a former park and playground owned by the Whiptan Township.
The reservoir is formed by a berm built from asbestos shingles, millboard and dirt. In fact, according to the press release, piping and tiles containing asbestos are still visible along the banks of the stream feeding the reservoir.
Another part of the site contained a playground which was built on top of a depression that was filled with asbestos waste. The playground was closed in the 1980s because of the asbestos contamination.
Roy Seneca, a spokesman for the EPA, said, “The site is being considered for the NPL because of the potential exposure of the nearby residential population to airborne asbestos and asbestos contamination along the Wissahickon Creek.”
Asbestos exposure can lead to several serious illnesses including asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer. These illnesses often don’t show up in patients until 15-20 years — or more — after exposure. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that that is caused only by exposure to asbestos and is fatal.
Tags: asbestos exposure, Mesothelioma, playground, superfund site