Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced a controversial plan to waive certain solid waste and air pollution regulations in the wake of several powerful tornadoes that hit the state late last month, especially the Joplin storm which killed over 140 people. 

The regulatory body is willing to waive regulations concerning the proper removal and disposal of “vegetative waste” such as downed trees and damaged appliances. Though officials still recommend that the vegetative waste be composted onsite, they are willing to allow such materials to be carted off to landfills or burned onsite.    Damaged appliances are also temporarily allowed to be transported to landfills as long as the landfill owners are willing to accept them. 

While these regulations are in place to keep landfills from becoming clogged with material that could be otherwise recycled or composted, the air pollution waivers are perhaps more frightening.

In order to facilitate the removal of building debris and damaged construction materials the state of Missouri is relaxing regulations which pertain to the removal, transport, and disposal of asbestos containing materials. 

While the measure is designed to speed up the cleanup process and more quickly return the hard-hit areas of the state back to “normal,” the measure is drawing some criticism from concerned public health advocates. 

Like most states, Missouri requires certified supervisors and workers to be used for asbestos removal when there are known contaminated materiasl from worksites. This includes storm cleanup zones. However, that rule has been waived in light of the scope of the devastation left behind these deadly tornadoes. 

This may put a great number of people at risk of unnecessary exposure to the known carcinogen. Asbestos, in any amount, is a powerful cancer-causing agent. In fact, mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers strikes 3000 Americans every year. 

Mesothelioma is a horribly painful and inevitably fatal affliction which can be prevented if avoiding all exposure to asbestos. The FederalEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly taken the position that absolutely no amount of asbestos can be considered safe. OSHA has similar regulations in place for ensuring worker safety. 

Air quality regulations put into place in the mid 1980s severely restrict the use of the naturally occurring mineral and provide detailed instructions on how to deal with existing caches of materials which contain the toxin. 

By waiving certain air quality regulations the official of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources may be unwittingly unleashing a hazard on construction workers, homeowners, and the general public of this already devastated area. 

Though certain regulations will still dictate what can and can’t be done with the asbestos once it is removed, having unlicensed and untrained individuals handling a potentially lethal carcinogen is a risky proposition.

The waiver only extends to Jasper and Newton counties in southwest Missouri and will be rescinded on June 20^th. If you or someone you know are involved in cleanup efforts, take all precautions to ensure that all exposure to airborne asbestos is avoided.   If you are not sure what to look out for, read this list of asbestos containing products that are likely to be found in debris after disasters hit.