North Carolina Town Restricts Access to Park After the Discovery of Asbestos-Containing Soil Near Former Shingle Manufacturing Plant

A town in North Carolina recently announced it had performed an environmental assessment of a city park as part of a planned park improvement project. Soil sampling results reported on the town’s website stated that asbestos levels were present in specific areas of the park.

As a result, city officials are following the recommendations of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and have restricted access at the park by installing construction fencing to prevent the disturbance of soil in areas where asbestos was detected. Signage was also posted at the designated areas to inform residents and town visitors of the situation.

The city park is near a former plant that made asbestos shingles from the 1930s until about 1960 according to the NC DHHS. The agency also states that people living in neighborhoods near the old plant could be exposed to asbestos fibers if they are released into the air if soil is disturbed and buried asbestos is released.

“Asbestos was once used in thousands of consumer products and building materials so there are old plants all across the country that likely once provided waste materials as fill to raise land levels in low lying areas and for other uses, such as material for driveways,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Other waste materials containing asbestos were simple buried in mounds in some places. If disturbed by wind or human activity, asbestos fibers could be aerosolized and become a threat. Exposure to asbestos fibers over time has been linked to lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.”

The environmental scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. provide asbestos testing resources to property owners, government officials, community health advocates and concerned residents to identify exposure risks to a wide range of potential hazards. EMSL has multiple laboratories in North Carolina and dozens more across North America. They offer comprehensive testing of air, dust, soil, surface, water and bulk materials. These services are instrumental in protecting the public, workers, and keeping property owners and managers in regulatory compliance.

To learn more about testing for asbestos or other environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit  www.EMSL.com , call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 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 & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC 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