ADAO Calls on the Government to Fund Hurricane Sandy Toxic Debris Removal

Posted on December 10, 2012

Please take 60 seconds to help Hurricane Sandy victims:

TWEET THIS: Our government needs to FUND Hurricane Sandy toxic debris removal to HELP victims http://bit.ly/XKFNPt

Hurricane Sandy devastated New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Six weeks later, mountains of debris remains, thousands are without power and displaced, and funds are needed to rebuild. In addition, it has been reported to ADAO that many homes have friable  asbestos that needs to be remediated. Exposure to asbestos and other post-Sandy toxic debris poses serious health hazards as these substances cause a variety of illnesses.

ADAO urges the federal and local government to fund the toxic debris removal, training, and health and safety materials that the tri-state residents desperately need.

To prevent further exposure to the asbestos in the Hurricane Sandy debris, ADAO urges families and volunteers to take the following four steps:

1. IDENTIFY: Learn where asbestos is in your home.
2. DON’T TOUCH: Asbestos is a human carcinogen. Asbestos-containing materials may release fibers when they are disturbed, damaged, removed improperly, repaired, cut, torn, sanded, sawed, drilled or scraped.
3. TEST: Confirm the presence or absence of asbestos.
4. REMEDIATION: If tests confirm asbestos, hire trained and accredited asbestos professionals to repair and remove the asbestos-containing materials.

“We’re not out of danger yet,” said Jordan Zevon, ADAO National Spokesperson. “The storm has passed, but the danger has just begun. Our government needs to man up and help Hurricane Sandy victims now by funding toxic debris removal.”

For more information about how to protect your family from toxic materials in post-Hurricane Sandy debris, read the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NYCOSH) fact sheet and view their online resources and read the ADAO blog: “Hurricane Sandy: How to Protect Yourself from Toxic Asbestos Debris.”