Firefights and building workers exposed to asbestos during renovation work

Newton, MA – The state reported last Friday that firefighters and building workers may have been exposed to asbestos that fell from the ceiling of Fire Station 3 during renovation work.

Fire station occupants saw visible dust coming from a hatch in the ceiling of the wire room on March 19. An employee said in the report that dust from the hatch had fallen on him and his computer.

More than a week later, employees received health checks from a physician. However, Lieutenant Alan Leone said it’s doubtful any health damages can be assessed at the moment so no treatments can be performed for the workers now.

The effects of asbestos exposure typically don’t show up in victims until decades later, and although there are treatments, no cure is known for asbestos related illnesses.

The consultant hired by the city to investigate the problem found no evidence of asbestos fibers in the air or in dust samples. The state conducted its own investigation, which was larger in scope, and did find that asbestos was present in the building.

Health and Human Services Commissioner David Naparstek said although it’s unknown if the four employees in the wire department were affected, a safety nurse is working to treat them as if they had been exposed. However, the only thing the agency can do for the employees in the near future is to monitor their health status.

Fire union President Tom Lopez said he and the union are frustrated about the incident because it could have been prevented. The union has been asking the city since 2006 to put in place measures to protect fire station occupants during renovation work, but the city never took any actions.

The state has forced the city to temporarily stop all renovation work being done to fire stations until the city could create a plan to protect the employees.

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