Presence of asbestos confirmed at Chillicothe Prison despite official claims prison is asbestos-free
Records show that when a prison official claimed early last year that all asbestos had been removed from the dormitories at Chillicothe Correctional Institution, that statement was incorrect. In fact, a survey from May 2007 shows that the prison still contains large amounts of asbestos in products such as pipe insulation, caulking and tile floors in inmate living areas. In the infirmary and the receiving building, inspectors found crumbling asbestos products that are believed to be a severe hazard. Pharmacists also expressed concern about suspected asbestos dust in the pharmacy. After asbestos was found in dust that inmates collected from dormitory floors, 33 present and past inmates at Chillicothe Prison filed a federal lawsuit last month. See related story. Asbestos materials that are damaged or crumbling post the highest risk because asbestos fibers are extremely likely to become airborne, allowing the microscopic fibers to be inhaled. Inhalation of asbestos fibers, even in small amounts, increases the risk of serious respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Documents also show that a prison official expressed concern in 2006 that the prison had put “staff and inmates in a situation of possible exposure and may be violating” environmental regulations.
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