A team of scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of US is carrying out additional tests to determine if there is any risk of asbestos exposure to people visiting the Illinois Beach State Park.
It has been 10 years since it first came to knowledge that asbestos contaminated debris was washing up at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois. It was very alarming as it posed a risk of asbestos exposure and subsequent deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung scarring. Until recently, the state park was declared to be safe by federal as well as the state authorities. However, EPA raised concerns regarding the asbestos exposure that could take place at the beach and affect numerous people coming here.
To check for asbestos exposure, scientists were seen engaged in childlike activities while they collected samples from air and sand. Even last year, air and sand samples were taken from the state park to be checked for asbestos contamination. According to the results, very low levels of asbestos were found that do not pose a threat to environment. However, a national preview panel recommended that additional tests should be performed as they showed lack of confidence in the tests. However, the scientists believe that the results would remain the same.
What cannot be denied is the presence of asbestos fibers in the sand due to which there is a constant danger of asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis etc. and there are enough asbestos fibers on the sand to worry the people and state of Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources sweeps the beach every week and during the summer months they even went to the extent of 3 sweeps per week to check for any asbestos contaminated debris on the beach.
Each time asbestos fibers were found on the beach, it lead to concerns among the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society, the founders of the park as well as the people who are aware of dangerous consequences of asbestos inhalation. These air and sand samples will be analyzed by the EPA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) after which a final report on safety of the beach is expected.
