Demolition work has begun at the old St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Indiana, reports WNDU. Crews will begin work by cleaning and demolishing the smaller buildings which surround the center’s main campus.
Crews began removing asbestos from the buildings Monday. The asbestos must be removed in order to prevent an asbestos disturbance. For when asbestos is disturbed, during renovation or demolition, the toxic particles can become airborne. And once made airborne, the particles can easily be inhaled.
Such exposure has been known to cause several diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the rarest and most aggressive asbestos-related disease, known to form from the mesothelium.
Unfortunately for those diagnosed with the cancer, mesothelioma treatment tends to arrive late. For symptoms of the disease, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, lie dormant for 10 to 50 years. Due to this extended latency period doctors struggle to diagnose patients in the early stages of their disease. Sadly, there is no asbestos cancer cure.
Once the smaller buildings on Angela and Marion streets are demolished, other satellite buildings will be torn down. Officials hope to see the entire campus cleared by October of 2011.
The hospital has donated the land to the St. Joseph High School. If the high school raises enough money, a new facility will be built there.