Elevated Asbestos Levels in El Dorado Hills, CA

By Ramsay Crooks

Published on July 23, 2005

The asbestos found by the EPA tests is a particularly harmful variety called "tremolite" which occurs naturally in the area; activity, particularly construction can kick up clouds of dust containing tremolite asbestos. EPA officials acknowledged that the asbestos poses some danger to local residents, but were unable to assess the degree of threat.

Contractors tested asbestos levels at a baseball diamond, a bicycle path, and other recreation areas; their data indicated that cyclists were likely to be exposed to 43 times more asbestos as a result of activity on the path, while playing baseball led to more than a 20-fold increase. Experts have said that these levels are sufficient to be a source of serious health problems.

Citizens of El Dorado Hills are becoming increasingly concerned about the harmful effects of asbestos in the dusty Central Valley town; airborne asbestos particles can cause mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer, and asbestosis, which results from a buildup of scar tissue in the lungs.

While some residents are leaving, most have decided to stay, but they are paying close attention to further developments. As of now, the EPA is not publicly giving El Dorado Hills residents advice concerning how to proceed.

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