HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has started an assessment of and cleanup of material from the former Morton Avenue Warehouse at 119 North Morton Avenue in Evansville.
Officials note the cleanup is expected to take approximately 120 days. The agency reports the hazardous materials in the wreckage include asbestos and PCBs. EPA says it will identify and consolidate hazardous substances onsite before transporting and disposing of the waste.
The EPA says asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has a fibrous form, which makes it a strong and heat-resistant material. Breathing in fibers from the breakdown or disposal of asbestos products can cause harmful health effects, which can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer. Officials say PCBs are a mixture of individual chemicals which are no longer produced in the United States but still found in the environment in objects like electrical transformers. Health effects that have been associated with exposure to PCBs include acne-like skin conditions in adults and neurobehavioral and immunological changes in children.
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Officials note during the cleanup, EPA will conduct air monitoring and will wet debris to prevent contaminants leaving the site. Runoff control will be in place to prevent rainwater or water used onsite from entering storm drains. Residents may notice increased truck traffic in the area and may see workers wearing protective gear required to handle asbestos…