Some days back, an underground steam pipe insulated with asbestos split in close proximity to the St. Louis Convention Center. The ruptured pipe reportedly blasted steam four stories high.
Unfortunately, the blast spewed more than steam, asbestos fibers were also released into the air. North 11thstreet has been closed since the pipe rupture last week and environmental testing of the surrounding area has revealed asbestos contamination.
In an effort to cleanse affected areas, Trigen-St. Louis Energy Corp (the company responsible for the piping) has power washed area streets and buildings twice.
This incident is a reminder that while the widespread manufacture and sale of asbestos products in Missouri and the United States has ceased, the environmental problem posed by asbestos is, unfortunately, alive and well. Additionally, despite the efforts of Trigen, the asbestos that was released into St. Louis cannot simply be washed away. Once released into the atmosphere, asbestos fibers persist and cannot be recaptured. Fortunately, the health risks posed to the public at large from this isolated incident is likely small. The vast majority of mesothelioma victims are exposed to asbestos over a regular, longer period of time than an isolated incident like this one.
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