Many apartment buildings, homes and business complexes in South Carolina currently stand vacant for various reasons. Some are scheduled for demolition and may pose some of the same health risks that an evacuated apartment building in another state was recently found to contain. This particular building poses an asbestos exposure risk to any and all who occupy the premises.

The apartment has been empty since 2010 when then occupants were evacuated because of a flood caused by a torrential rainstorm. A post-storm inspection of the property revealed that building officials had reportedly committed nine separate maintenance violations. The city was preparing to demolish the building when those plans were halted due to new information regarding asbestos throughout the structure.

The apartment complex is apparently riddled with high levels of asbestos in its exterior plaster as well as window glazing, flooring and other areas of the building. Because serious health hazards exist from ingesting or inhaling microscopic fibers contained in asbestos, there are strict federal regulations governing the removal process. In fact, only certified workers may conduct an abatement project.

Sadly, many South Carolina workers and residents understand all too well how devastating the results of asbestos exposure can be. There are currently thousands of people throughout the state and nation suffering various forms of respiratory illness and cancer, such as mesothelioma, directly related to their exposure to asbestos at work or in their homes. There are also many active litigation cases involving victims seeking recoveries for their losses in situations where their illnesses were caused by other people’s negligence.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, “Tests find asbestos throughout shuttered apartment complex“, April 28, 2018