Asbestos News
Collapsed church ceiling tests positive for asbestos
When the ceiling of a North Carolina church collapsed during a Sunday service earlier this month the danger didn't go away when the rubble was removed and injured parishioners were treated for minor injuries. Testing has revealed that the collapsed ceiling contains asbestos.The ceiling of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina, collapsed on June 13, injuring 12 church goers, reports the Hickory Daily Record. Church leaders wisely had the material tested and asbestos was found to be present.
According to Joel Herman, the interim chief of building services in Catawba County, the church's entire ceiling will have to be removed and replaced. This will hopefully prevent any parishioners from developing an asbestos-related disease, like malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis. Currently, no one is allowed in either the upstairs portion of the church or the facility's basement.
Herman said that ceiling collapses such as this one happen from time-to-time.
"It looked like it didn't happen overnight," he told the news source. "Plaster ceilings do this sometimes. They start bowing, and then they let loose."
The World Health Organization estimates that 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related illnesses.
6/28/10
Related Articles
Officials send message that asbestos regulations must be followed , Ariella Yu, 1/3/13
Asbestos exposure on the job has deadly consequences, Ariella Yu, 12/28/12
Proper management of asbestos projects is vital, various communities learn, Ed Michler, 12/27/12
Copper thefts may increase locals' risk of asbestos exposure, http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x1922376864/Asbestos-spread-by-copper-thieves-will-cost-Fall-River-Housing-Authority-78-000, 12/14/12
Massachusetts school custodians learn about asbestos exposure, http://www.wickedlocal.com/norwell/news/x2105847083/Norwell-participates-in-asbestos-awareness-training#axzz2Ese9TA66, 12/14/12
Experts question integrity of asbestos exposure reports, international collaboration, https://www.rightoncanada.ca/?p=1761, 12/14/12
Northern Ireland campaign will educate tradespeople, others about asbestos exposure, http://m.u.tv/news/300-NI-asbestos-deaths-in-five-years/e3426c38-0a85-47ff-b68f-3e2d4fbbe3cd, 12/11/12
UNT says no concern needed over asbestos work on campus, Ed Michler, 12/10/12
Canadian school closed after asbestos found in crawl space, Janet Hartung, 12/7/12
Critics say Ohio bill would rob asbestos victims of their rights, Ariella Yu, 12/6/12