Cedar Rapids, IA City Council Evaluating Fee Structure to Dispose of Asbestos-Contaminated Demolition Debris

The costs associated with the lawful regulation of asbestos-containing debris are being considered by elected officials in Cedar Rapids City, IA. Exposure to the asbestos dusts found in contaminated renovation or demolition debris puts those in the area at risk to develop serious health problems many decades after they were exposed.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis, please complete the form on this page for information about your legal rights and options.

In February 2010, the Cedar Rapids City Council asked the area’s County Waste Management Board to delay their decision regarding the charges they intended to impose for disposal of debris from the demolition of the former Sinclair meatpacking site. Approximately 65,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated debris is to be disposed of at the city’s Site 1 landfill.

At issue is a proposal to discount the disposal rates, which are currently $120 per ton, based on the amount of debris to be accepted at the landfill. Another issue addressed by a member of the Linn County Board was that the debris may also be contaminated by other environmental pollutants.

Critics of the proposed discounts to be offered to the city to dispose of the asbestos-containing demolition debris are concerned about the costs to properly seal the landfill in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Community Health Risks from Asbestos
Until a final decision is made with regard to where the asbestos-contaminated debris will be taken and the costs assessed against the city, potential health risks exist should asbestos dusts from the debris become airborne or contaminate area soil or groundwater.

This decades-long latency period is caused by the microscopic structure of asbestos fibers. Their sharp, jagged edges cause the tiny fibers to attach to lung tissue when they are inhaled. Over the years, the asbestos will cause the lungs to scar, and can eventually cause breathing impairment disorders such as emphysema or asbestosis to develop.

Tragically, in countless cases, the asbestos will trigger the lungs to begin to produce abnormal cells. When these abnormal cells reproduce, they eventually form mesothelioma or lung cancer tumors.

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, our lawyers may be able to help you to seek justice for your illness and file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Please complete the form on this page for a free and confidential review of your potential asbestos lawsuit or request a free copy of our asbestos sourcebook. A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.