The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it will provide $25,000 for redevelopment of a brownfield site in City of Greenville, South Carolina occupied by a former service station and a supermarket. A brownfield is a land parcel targeted for redevelopment, despite the potential presence of toxic contamination. Legislation signed by President Bush in 2002 has increased funding and otherwise assisted in the revitalization of these compromised sites. The EPA provides assistance to support such efforts.
The Greenville brownfield will be transformed into affordable housing with “green” sustainable features. But first, the City must conduct demolition and removal of asbestos-containing materials and lead paint from the site. Asbestos abatement efforts require great care and should be performed by licensed professionals to ensure that hazardous asbestos fibers are not released. When airborne fibers are inhaled into the lungs, various asbestos conditions—including mesothelioma—may result.
For the full story, go to EPA Press Release.
