New Ball Fields Replace Former New Jersey Asbestos Plant
A 17 acre site which was once the home to American Asbestos Company, and later to a plastics and fuel company, is now being developed into ball fields for residents of Berkeley Heights in New Jersey.
Union County leaders and residents approved a 3.85 million contract with Applied Landscape Technologies for the development of the property into recreational fields complete with a concession stand, restrooms, and parking. This was only possible after a 6.5 million clean up project was completed, removing 42,000 tons of contaminated soil to approved out-of-state landfills designated for disposal of toxic waste.
American Asbestos operated a plant on the property until 1952, using asbestos as land filler throughout the site. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was heavily mined and widely used in many industrial, commercial and construction products because of its strong, heat and insulating properties. Asbestos is now known to cause serious illnesses, sometimes with only a single exposure. Mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos, is an incurable cancer that begins in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or chest cavities. Asbestosis is a scarring in the lining of the lungs caused by exposure that creates painful breathing and respiratory complications. Other types of asbestos-related lung cancers can occur from exposure to the toxic fibers.
All asbestos related diseases can take 20 to 40 years to diagnose from time of first exposure due to a long latency period. Often symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis are hard to identify and treat, especially if there is no known occupational history of working with the carcinogenic substance.
Due to the threat to public health, all asbestos contaminated soil had to be properly removed and disposed of before any new construction could begin in Berkeley Heights. Residents and community leaders are pleased with the completion of the clean up and look forward to enjoying the new fields free of any environmental risk of exposure to any toxins.
