Deadly Asbestos Fibers Found on Chicago's Oak Street Beach

Officials Rig Studies/Tests; Cover-up Health Hazards on Illinois Beaches Beach Visitors' Asbestos Safety Tips Published

CHICAGO, May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beach season opens this weekend! Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society asked nationally recognized asbestos safety risk expert, Jeffery C. Camplin, to compile "Asbestos Tips for Beach Visitors" who choose to visit the beaches, risking exposure to amphibole asbestos, the most deadly type. For decades, trillions of asbestos fibers were released daily and carried southward by Lake Michigan's currents from USEPA's Johns-Manville asbestos Superfund site in Waukegan, IL. This bungled clean-up attempt has contaminated the entire Illinois shoreline and polluted the drinking water supply http://www.illinoisdunesland.org/pdf/Chicago_Water_Bureau_Asbestos_Study.pdf. Camplin reviewed USEPA, CDC/ATSDR and state studies/tests, finding they were "deeply flawed and severely lacking in standardized scientific protocols."
Dunesland's President Paul A. Kakuris said, "Officials rigged studies/tests to cover-up their involvement in obstructing and not enforcing pollution hazard violations against polluters facilitating and dumping asbestos fibers into the drinking water supply. Waves wash fibers onto the beaches where sand releases asbestos during beach activities, exposing millions of unwitting victims to deadly asbestos fibers while corrupt public officials and polluters' consultants rigged studies, using government funds." http://www.illinoisdunesland.org/pdf/A_Spoiled_Shoreline_Broadcast.pdf

STEPS TO MINIMIZE TOXIC ASBESTOS EXPOSURES ON CHICAGO'S BEACHES

Amphibole Asbestos Found at Oak Street Beach is Deadly!

Rare amphibole minerals, several hundred times more harmful to public health than common urban asbestos fibers, exist on Oak Street beach in Chicago. If you can't avoid Lake Michigan beaches, follow these tips to minimize breathing asbestos by you, your family, or pets.

1. Avoid Eating and Drinking at the Beach!

Asbestos and amphibole fibers can contaminate your hands, food, and containers. Eat in picnic areas away from the beach.

1. Avoid Disturbing the Sand!

Microscopic asbestos can be released from the sand when agitated. The Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) found amphibole asbestos fibers can be released from wet sand and become airborne.

1. Shower Off and Clean Belongings Prior to Leaving the Beach!

The deadly amphibole asbestos fibers can be found wherever beach sand can go. Wash your whole body including hair, ears, and under fingernails. Pets should also be washed down prior to leaving the lakefront and beaches.

1. Carefully Clean or Isolate Items Used at the Beach!

Don't track material that could contain asbestos through the house." (USEPA) Take care when shaking out towels and blankets that may have come into contact with sand. Remove all beach clothing before entering your car or home. Launder clothing, blankets, and towels separately. Store shoes and hard to clean items outside.

1. Avoid Certain Cleaning Methods!

Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. According to the USEPA, "These steps will disturb tiny asbestos fibers and may release them into the air." The use of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered vacuums is recommended for cleaning up toxic dust and fibers.

References:
http://illinoisdunesland.org/Asbestos.html
http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=46&SubSectionID=155&Artic leID=4911&TM=53466.84

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
http://www.illinoisdunesland.org

Source: ILLINOIS DUNESLAND PRESERVATION SOCIETY

CONTACT: Paul Kakuris of the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society
+1-312-332-3377, ildunesland@aol.com

Web Site: http://chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=46&SubSectionID=139&ArticleID=4854&TM=42288.05
http://www.ewg.org/

2008-05-23 19:38:24 0369972 PRNEWSWIRE