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Article: The asbestos dilemma.
- Article from:
- U.S. News & World Report
- Article date:
- January 14, 1991
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1991 All rights reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Three years ago, a plumber hire a Pennsylvania woman to replace the furnace informed her that he had ripped out a pile of asbestos pipe insulation. Pregnant, mother of a 2-year old and an asthmatic herself, the woman was stunned to learn of asbestos in her basement. She also knew it was unsafe and illegal to remove asbestos, which can cause cancer, without taking special precautions. An asbestos consultant confirmed her fears. The fibers had contaminated the basement, leading to an $800 cleanup paid for by the plumber's insurance company. [The plumber] honestly thought he was doing us a favor," says the woman, who lives in a small town and asked that her name be withheld.