Independence community concerned over habitat home asbestos

Independence, Missouri â€" Residents of an Independence neighborhood are concerned about the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity home being built in their community. The house building project, they say, is endangering their health. This story begins twelve years ago, following the demolition of an abandoned home. The demolished building had contained asbestos roofing, siding, and flooring. Many older homes contain asbestos, due to the widespread use of the substance for several decades in the twentieth century. These days there are strict regulations concerning the demolition of commercial buildings that contain asbestos, but in some states there are few regulations governing residential asbestos issues. In Independence, for example, there are no laws to prevent asbestos from being buried or dug up on a residential propertyâ€"the laws only apply to commercial property. In this case, the asbestos-containing materials were buried on the site. Neighbors had complained about the health hazards at the time, but nothing had been done about the asbestos. The stir caused by the asbestos issue was all-but-forgotten, until digging commenced on the lot this month. Neighbors are scared that the long-buried asbestos will be dug up again, to the extent that some feel that even stepping outside may be dangerous. The new owner of the lot is Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. Neighbors say they warned the new owner of the asbestos problem around two months ago. Despite the warning, and the organization’s response that they did not wish to harm the neighborhood, digging has now commenced on the property. The neighbors say that Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity had originally decided to build a slab house, which would not disturb the earth or the asbestos. However, the lot is now being dug up. Last week, neighbors were so upset that they confronted the men who were digging the basement for the new home. According to the diggers, paperwork indicates that the property was “tested” however there is no mention of the site having been tested specifically for asbestos. The Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity is in possession of a building permit for the site. Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Gina Elkins says there is no evidence that any asbestos exists on the Independence site where the new home is being built. Elkins also says that the organization has been working with Independence to ensure that the building site is suitable for construction. In addition, she contends that Habitat for Humanity does not build slab houses, and that the neighbors must be mistaken when they say the organization had promised to do so in this case. Elkins also claims that the building site was cleaned twice in or around 1996. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)