2025, June 23: Symosium in Grenoble on Asbestos Residue and Oblivion, Asbestos on the Beach
I attended by zoom on June 23, 2025, the first day of the symposium in Grenoble discussing legacy asbestos issues. To say the first day was outstanding and provide new pathways in my brain thought capacity would be a gross understatement.
The two issues that attendees need to sort out are the dual language (French and English) and some of the translation issue. Neither was a big deal other than I could not understand a few of the speakers other than reading the translations provided — mostly good, all passable. Getting up to start at 2:30 a.m. Chicago time (where I am vacationing) was also a challenge.
Most importantly, Arthur Rose presented our paper on asbestos issues concerning the beaches just north of Waukegan, IL. Arthur was excellent as our paper fit in nicely to the theme of the day discussing the difficulties dealing with imbedded asbestos, such as fibers getting mixed into beach sand and then the sand is subject to coastal tides, nature, kids making sand castles, and the such. How does one eliminate asbestos fibers from a beach used by the local community, when the lake front is continually changing? How can any warning be acceptable when the risk arises from microscopic asbestos fibers that have no weight, taste, or touch?
I will do a more complete blog after tomorrow’s session. Until then, I am up at 2:30 a.m. tomorrow again. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Marty
2 Responses
Hi Marty hope this finds you doing well. How would you separate asbestos and sand from a beach, one would think it to be impossible. One way would be to spray the beach with something that would stop airborne exposure and sadly but true..sand castles would have to stop and maybe close beach from people.
I requested the epa..to common sense in them wanting to..clean..the area around the mine site in libby and suggested logging..cutting down all trees and use clay to cover the trees and ground to contain the asbestos and said it could be done by hiring all loggers or anyone with a chain saw and cut all trees when it is raining and then in the winter when snow is on the ground to prevent exposure..any other time or way..would be criminal due to the release of fibers with no control but epa don’t like to do things safe or right. They keep wanting to log areas of asbestos and I have to remind them that the 530 million asbestos fibers found in one gram of bark still exists and unless all loggers suit up in hazmat and it is raining..this is illegal which they know this. So so much needs done and feels hopeless in the magnate of what is still their and every where. Best any one can do is warn the public and hope they pay attention and take it seriously specially if children are involve..keep up the fight my friend..one life saved is one life not dieing from asbestos. I do believe this..wish we could save the world huh. Sending love
Hi Mike. I agree that this is a difficult situation for all involved. We will see tomorrow when the EPA will hold a public hearing on their proposed solution for asbestos waste that now is mixed in with sand, nature, and the desire for people to use the beach. The first 40 or 50 years after discovery has not moved the needle very much.
epa
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