Basement of Ohio Home Filled with Asbestos

January 15, 2006 - FoxNews in Youngstown, Ohio reports that an East Liverpool neighborhood is up in arms after the discovery of asbestos in the basement of a home there.

Concerned neighbors reported the potential asbestos to local police when they discovered a white powdery substance blowing throughout the neighborhood.  East Liverpool Police Chief Mike McVay notes that there were two men in the basement cutting what appeared to be asbestos wrapped around pipe, producing a thick white powder. One of the men, reported FoxNews, claimed they were given the pipe and planned to sell it for scrap.

The fire department arrived and hosed down the house and the asbestos inside, hoping to stop the flurry of asbestos fibers.  Chief McVay notes that they removed two families that were living in the house and proceeded to seal the home.  The Environmental Protection Agency was then called in to investigate the scene.

While the city awaits reports from the EPA, local officials have advised neighbors who were exposed to the white powder to visit their doctor.  The two men in question may be prosecuted for violating the state Clean Air Act.