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The Environmental Protection Agency is developing an alternative approach to demolishing structures that contain asbestos. The current standard, outlined in the EPA's National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants, requires that buildings be sealed in plastic and that specially trained crews in protective suits remove most of the asbestos-contaminated materials by hand before the building is demolished. The alternative The EPA's proposed Alternative Asbestos Control Method would allow crews to leave the asbestos-contaminated materials in the building during demolition. They would have to wet the inside of the structure with a foaming material before, during and after demolition and to remove as much as 3 inches of soil that may have been saturated with foam that contains asbestos. Crews would have to wear respirators and protective gear during the procedure. The alternative is similar to the controversial "Fort Worth method" abandoned by the EPA two years ago. Instead of foam, that method called for wetting the structure with water. The concern Leaving asbestos-laden material in the building during demolition creates the possibility of asbestos fibers wafting into the air and, depending on wind direction and speed, traveling far from the site. That could expose many people to asbestos a fibrous mineral that can scar the lungs and cause cancer. Why it's important If the test in Fort Worth works, it could have national implications. The EPA says it could amend federal regulations governing the demolition of asbestos-contaminated structures to include the alternative procedure. That is why public health officials, asbestos experts and environmentalists nationwide are watching the case closely. Previous tests The EPA has tested the proposed alternative method twice before. The first test, in April 2006, was deemed inconclusive by experts appointed by the agency. They strongly questioned some of the report's statements. In particular, the experts said the conclusions that the amount of asbestos measured in the air was not a health concern hinted at "a research bias or hidden agenda." A second test, conducted in ]uly at Fort Chaffee, is also being reviewed, with a report expected early next year. The site The Oak Hollow apartment complex will be the first test of the alternative method in a residential area. Only a 2,200-square-foot apartment management office building will be demolished using the alternative method. The city will later demolish the rest of the complex using the currently approved federal method. What's next The EPA plans to begin the experiment next week. It's scheduled to wet down the office building with the foam Tuesday, then demolish the building Dec. 12. The federal agency will analy2e dozens of air, soil, dust and pavement samples and issue a report by May. The agency will then appoint a panel to peer-review the report and release a final report by the end of 2008. Source: Environmental Protection Agency 3 5~ ~ C-)