|
Fact Sheet #1
1500 Skokie Asbestos Site
Northbrook, Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
I understand that the building was "sealed" by the state. What does
that mean?
Because the recent renovation work on the third floor was improperly
conducted, it created a situation that posed an imminent danger to human
health and the environment, and the Illinois EPA placed a seal order on
the building. When conditions at a site present a risk or danger to public
health and the environment, the state may place it under seal order to
restrict public access. In this case, asbestos contamination was found
throughout the building.
Is there a penalty associated with violating a seal order?
Yes. A person who violates a seal order of the state by trespassing is
subject to a fine of up to $1000 and up to 364 days in jail. Remember
that the seal order was placed on the property to protect the public by
warning them to stay away from the site.
Why did tenants have to evacuate the building?
The asbestos contamination found in the building could present a health
risk to the tenants. Asbestos exposure has been shown, under certain circumstances,
to be associated with lung disease, both cancer and non-cancer effects.
Until the building owner has cleaned the whole building of asbestos contamination,
the order will not be lifted. No one may enter the building except licensed
contractors who have written authorization from the Director of Illinois
EPA.
How long will the businesses have to stay out of the building?
We do not know at this time how long it will take to clean up the asbestos
contamination. The property owners and their contractors have developed
a Comprehensive Project Design Plan under an Agreed Interim Order with
Illinois EPA and the Attorney General's Office. They began cleanup work
on Monday, March 19, 2001. We hope to be able to issue an "all clear"
by mid-April.
I work in this building. Renovation of several floors has happened
over the last 3 to 4 years. Why is the asbestos removal just now an issue?
While the Illinois EPA was notified of previous renovation efforts that
involved asbestos removal, the work on the third floor is the first instance
of the Agency's learning of actual violations of federal and state rules
governing asbestos removals.
What is being done to eliminate asbestos from the building?
Besides properly abating the third floor of asbestos-containing materials,
the rest of the building (including stairwells and elevator) needs to
be cleaned of asbestos contamination.
Once the cleanup work is complete, will it be safe to return to the
building?
Illinois EPA intends to inspect the activities at 1500 Skokie while the
work proceeds to make sure that proper precautions are taken. Once the
work is complete and the site is deemed "clean", tenants may once again
inhabit the building. Clearance air monitoring will be performed in accordance
with federal standards and will insure that the building is safe to inhabit.
How do I know whether previous exposures, during past activities at
this location, may have endangered my health?
The Illinois EPA has no asbestos air concentration data for the time
periods of previous site work. Consequently, we cannot answer that question.
How does asbestos damage one's health?
U.S. EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry have
developed fact sheets and a toxicological profile on asbestos explaining
long-term health effects due to repeated, high-level exposures, such as
those experienced by workers in an industrial setting. Those effects include
asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer or other lung disease.
No studies are available on the acute (short-term) effects of asbestos
exposure in animals or humans. In addition, the OSHA website has a fact
sheet about the hazards of working with asbestos. Another fact sheet available
through the Illinois EPA provides a general understanding of the statutory
and regulatory requirements governing managing asbestos. Links to these
fact sheets are provided below.
Asbestos related fact sheets
For more information, please contact:
Maggie Carson,
Public Information Officer
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276
(217) 557-8138 |
Carol Fuller,
Community Relations Coordinator
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276
(217) 524-8807 |
|
