Asbestos Concerns Confirmed for Residents Living Near Partially Demolished Former Yarn Mill

In March, residents of Lupton City, a neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee, that live near an abandoned yarn mill had their fears confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA established that asbestos is indeed present in the partially demolished industrial site that had sat vacant for years and is surrounded by homes on three sides and a golf course on the other.

The contaminated site became the property of the city and Hamilton County just a few years ago when the previous owner lost it due to property tax issues. Local media reports announced that local, state, and federal authorities were working on plans to clean-up the site soon, but some local residents have expressed concerns over possible exposure to asbestos in the air in their neighborhood.

Asbestos was frequently used in many older buildings constructed up until the late 1970s.  It can be found in building materials ranging from insulation, roofing, and siding to vinyl floor tiles, cement sheets, and adhesives to name just a few of the many common asbestos-containing materials.

“Old buildings and industrial sites frequently contain asbestos and other hazards that may include lead-based paints and even PCBs,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “An active or abandoned demolition site could be an exposure risk for anyone who enters the property and even for neighbors living nearby if winds blow these materials or contaminated dust onto their properties if the proper safety precautions are not in place. At EMSL, we offer environmental testing services for asbestos, lead, PCBs, and other potential hazards that may be present in these situations. Testing can be conducted not only in the facilities in question, but also from surrounding areas, such as nearby neighborhoods.”

EMSL Analytical has also sponsored an educational video about demolition projects and air quality concerns that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/iEc924Xq3ds.

To learn more about testing for asbestos, lead, PCBs, or other air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char and ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage, and consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail