Three weeks ago, when a large building in Center City Philadelphia collapsed without warning, firefighters and other responders rushed in without wearing any sort of protective gear. Now they’re worried that there may have been asbestos in the older building, which was completely destroyed when it came crashing down.
According to NBC-10 News, first responders are demanding to know whether or not there was asbestos in the building, which was located in a busy area of downtown Philly near 22nd and Market Streets. The collapse occurred while the four-story building was in the process of being demolished, the report notes, and the disaster killed six individuals who were working or shopping in the Salvation Army Store next door.
Though a licensed asbestos inspector, Kenneth Hudson, examined the building before demolition began and determined there was no asbestos inside, he says he did not specifically test for asbestos as there was no reason to do so. That means there is still some uncertainty as to whether there were indeed asbestos-containing materials that may have remained behind in the debris.
“I still don’t know if it was in that building,” Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said. “I’m hoping it wasn’t.”
Ayers confirmed that firefighters who arrived on the scene first did not have time to don their protective clothing, potentially exposing themselves to the toxic mineral, which can cause mesothelioma cancer and other respiratory illnesses if its tiny fibers are inhaled.
In the meantime, Hudson had little to say and claims he has nothing to hide.
“I did my job as an asbestos inspector,” he said. “That’s as far as I can comment, professionally.”
“What I see, I document, I take samples of it, if need be, if there is suspect material. There wasn’t any suspect material, so there wasn’t any reason for me to take a sample,” Hudson added.