Mesothelioma risk from asbestos release can be another effect of earthquake damage
A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California on the afternoon of January 9. There were no fatalities, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency on January 13 due to the extent of the damage done. Eureka was the city hardest hit by the earthquake, with $18 million in damages. The Bayshore Mall had about $6 million in damage done, though it remained closed for only a few days because it was structurally sound.
Older homes and businesses in Eureka did not fare as well as the mall did. Some structures started coming off their foundations, and some were red-tagged – which means that they are too dangerous to be inhabitable. Damage done to the Eureka Municipal Building potentially exposed people to lead paint and airborne asbestos, two toxic substances that were commonly used in older buildings and became exposed due to damage from the earthquake.
While asbestos is often considered safe as long as it remains intact in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, or as insulation, it becomes a danger as soon as it is disturbed – whether by renovations or by a natural disaster such as an earthquake, fire or severe storms. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to serious illnesses like mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.
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