Brookline Massachusetts residents concerned about asbestos release at a demolition site

Brookline, MA – Neighborhood residents are concerned about the potential of asbestos release from an upcoming demolition project near their homes.

Neighbors have requested more information from the contractor currently removing asbestos from the former St. Aidan Church site that is expected to be torn down. Some want to know so they can make plans to deal with it while others want to get their family out of the area right before the demolition starts, concerned their children will develop an asbestos-related lung cancer in the distant future from exposure now.

The developer behind the project announced in a meeting this week that it would provide daily updates to neighbors over the next two weeks. Despite demands from the residents, the developer did not specify an exact date for the start of the demolition, explaining that in the industry, it’s hard to guarantee a specific date because the speed and progress of work is difficult to estimate.

Work crews will wet, contain, and remove asbestos-containing materials from the site in the next few days to prepare for the demolition of the church’s two garages and rectory. Project officials said the area will be covered with drapes and workers will use air monitors to detect asbestos levels at and around the construction site, and work would be halted if unsafe levels are detected. However, the asbestos is considered non-friable and isn’t expected to pose a threat unless improperly handled.

Construction work will take place mainly during school hours when kids are in school and workers have been urged to not perform heavy work when students are walking home.

Although most residents expressed concerns about the project, some gave praise to the developer for speaking frankly with them.

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