Environmental Testing at Jasper County, Idaho Care Facility Buildings Confirms Presence of Asbestos

Plans to demolish former Jasper County, ID care facility buildings required testing for and removing all asbestos-containing materials on the site. Exposure to the dangerous mineral is known to cause many serious diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer and asbestosis.

If your family is facing a loved one’s diagnosis with an asbestos disease, please contact us for information on your legal rights to seek compensation against the responsible companies for illness, pain and suffering and other medical and financial obligations.

In January 2010, the Newton Daily News reported on plans in Jasper County, Idaho to demolish county care facility buildings.

In December 2009, the County announced they had received a final report from inspectors who where hired to test the buildings for the presence of asbestos. The results of the testing showed that asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were present in a number of areas in the buildings, including floor tiles, roof tiles and construction materials. The company obtained 100 samples from different areas of the buildings, and 14 of those samples tested positive for ACM.

The next step in the County’s demolition timeline is to review design plans and issue bids for asbestos abatement. Both federal and state regulations require that all ACM be removed from a building site before demolition can take place.

Asbestos Materials Commonly Used in Older Buildings
Prior to the 1970s, the use of asbestos materials in the construction and renovation of commercial buildings, including schools, hospitals and office buildings was common. A number of asbestos products were typically used, including insulation in boiler rooms and to cover heating and hot water pipes that traveled through the buildings.

Asbestos products were also commonly used in flooring, including floor tiles and the glues used to apply flooring and subflooring. Asbestos-containing mastics were also used to apply wall tiles in cafeteria and kitchen facilities, in bathrooms and gymnasiums.

Ceiling tiles, including the acoustic “popcorn” ceilings also contained asbestos, as did the additives in texturized paints and vinyl wallpaper. In some schools and hospitals, asbestos was added to the plaster that was applied to the walls.

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we 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.