Asbestos Delays Removal of Buildings at Abington Griffin’s Dairy Site
ABINGTON – Plans to cleanup the remnants of three small wooden buildings at Griffin’s Dairy are in a state of uncertainty after a resident informed the state Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) that the debris may possibly contain asbestos.
According to selectmen Chairman Christopher Aiello, he was informed that the removal project would be put on hold until the town hires a specialist to perform asbestos test.
The town’s fire chief and building inspector had ordered to remove the buildings as a potential hazard. The selectmen voted Monday to go ahead with the removal this week. The estimated cost of the project is $15,000.
But an unidentified resident filed a complaint with the DEP that the collapsed structures may contain asbestos. Asbestos is a known cancer-causing substance. The material can be dangerous if it is disturbed or broken as its fibers can become airborne then. Airborne asbestos fibers are easily inhalable. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause fatal diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Aiello says there is no chance for the presence of asbestos. “We have no reason to believe asbestos is there,” he said.
DEP officials were not available for comment.
