Asbestos Contamination in Kmart Fire

A catastrophic fire recently hit an abandoned Kmart in East Portland, Oregon, causing dust and debris to fly as far as nearby parks and the Parkrose School District. The Oregon Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) confirmed that the rubble from the Kmart tested positive for asbestos.

If you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, even as a child, speak to a healthcare provider about tests and screening to help diagnose lung-scarring and screen for asbestos-related diseases.

According to multiple studies and the DEQ, asbestos can cause various cancer and lung issues, mainly due to long-term exposure. While the inclusion of asbestos in the Kmart Fire is alarming, it poses a significant question about the health risks involved with asbestos lurking in older buildings, in general.

Below we’ll delve into the details of the recent Kmart Fire and how trace amounts of asbestos can become friable during fires and similar disasters. Most importantly, we’ll discuss how you can protect yourself from this carcinogenic mineral.

Asbestos Threat in Oregon After the Kmart Fire

The Kmart fire struck Northeast Portland on a Wednesday, wiping out over 120,000 square feet of the building. The toxic black smoke produced by the damage drifted over the Argay Terrace and Parkrose neighborhoods.

With the DEQ investigating, officials recommended that nearby residents remain in their homes with the windows and doors closed to avoid coming into contact with the smoke. Although the Oregon Department of Environment Quality initially found traces of asbestos in the atmosphere, preliminary results of the debris revealed the absence of the mineral.

“The overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.”

Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH)¹

According to the DEQ, while asbestos exposure always comes with some level of health risk, the threat is significantly higher when people regularly come into contact with it. Moreover, officials note that small traces of this mineral are typical in our air and don’t pose any danger. The agency added that most people don’t experience symptoms for 10 to 40 years.

Residents experiencing symptoms like headaches and sinus, throat, and eye irritation immediately following the incident were likely dealing with the aftermath of the exposure to smoke and fire rather than the effects of asbestos. The DEQ recommended, however, that anyone symptomatic contact their family doctor to be evaluated.

Asbestos has no taste or smell.

You may not know you’re breathing it.

Can Building Fires Expose People to Asbestos?

Asbestos fibers boast exceptional heat resistance, which means they don’t burn in a conventional building fire, but can become airborne in the process. Therefore, any construction damage involving the presence of asbestos could be dangerous.

“Some asbestos fibers may bypass…your body’s natural defenses…and lodge deep within your lungs. Those fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never be removed.”

Source: American Lung Association

If an older building is dismantled in any way, it’s essential to exercise caution and avoid breathing in particles released into the air. This will reduce the potential for exposure and subsequent health risks.

Understanding the History of Asbestos Use

For the longest time, asbestos was referred to as a “miracle mineral,” resistant to extreme heat and electrical currents, resilient, and strong, and easy to incorporate into numerous products. While the material promises unmatched building reinforcement and fireproofing, its fibers can spread and create public health issues.

Asbestos is now banned in many commercial uses, but the mineral remains a threat due to its presence in older structures, including in residential homes. If these buildings break down and degrade over time, or suddenly (such as in the Kmart fire), asbestos contamination is likely to result.

“Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure.”

Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH)²

The latency period: asbestos-related diseases can take many decades to appear.

Most asbestos-related diseases have a significant latency period, meaning symptoms can remain dormant for many years and once they surface, diseases can be well-advanced. This, of course, does not imply the presence of asbestos fibers in building structures, wall paint, automotive parts, and roof shingles is not a concern. While the results are not always immediate, once symptoms surface, they tend to be severe and life-threatening.

Since asbestos can cause numerous deadly medical conditions, such as thickening and scarring of the lungs, mesothelioma, and ovary, lung, or larynx cancer, it’s essential to take precautions to limit exposure. If demoing or renovating an older structure, it’s always best to have it first tested by an asbestos auditor.

“All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans.”³

Staying Safe: Learning the Dangers of Asbestos

Before you can protect yourself against asbestos, it’s vital to understand its real-time dangers. The highly flexible fibers of this mineral are ideal for corrosion, electrical, and heat resistance but can lead to the following diseases and injuries:

Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition, asbestosis presents with symptoms of shortness of breath, sudden weight loss, throat pain, and fatigue. The condition worsens with time and lacks a cure.

Pleural Plaques: This involves the thickening of tissues around the lungs, which can result in potentially deadly respiratory disease. Although pleural plaques are not life-threatening, they can worsen existing conditions or lead to significant breathing issues, reducing overall quality of life.

Mesothelioma: Since asbestos is a carcinogenic, long-term exposure to this mineral can cause mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause them to become embedded in the protective lining of the lungs, resulting in an increased risk of cancer.

Other Types of Cancer: Studies show that asbestos can increase the risk of lung cancer as well as many other forms of the disease, including cancer of the kidneys, ovaries, larynx, and esophagus.

Asbestos doesn’t stay in one place, and it doesn’t discriminate.

Although asbestos mainly affects people living in contaminated spaces for long periods of time or those working in structures with asbestos, the mineral’s effects can also spread to people who haven’t had direct contact with it. Secondhand exposure commonly occurs when spouses and children of asbestos workers inadvertently come into contact with fibers on work clothes and boots or in family vehicles.

People who worked in these industries prior the mid-1980s have a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases:Unfortunately so do their families.

When Should You Take Action?

By now, you’ve learned the various health conditions that asbestos can cause. So, now let’s discuss when to take action. Typically, this mineral’s risk is high for people living in houses built between the 1920s and the 1970s.

Since the majority of older homes don’t undergo asbestos-specific audits, it’s likely the fibers still remain within the walls and flooring. But, as discussed, asbestos fibers do not cause significant health hazards unless made friable. It’s only when these surfaces begin to corrode that they can travel into the air and be ingested.

If there is any concern that asbestos is present, it’s best to work with a licensed asbestos abatement company. Trained contractors can test for the presence of friable fibers and remove any, if necessary.

The Bottom Line on Asbestos Contamination

If an older building in your neighborhood catches fire, it’s critical to exercise caution. Keep yourself inside your home and close your doors and windows to protect your health. Moreover, contact your doctor if you experience strange symptoms.

Remember, if you get diagnosed with asbestos illness, you deserve compensation. AsbestosClaims.law attorneys can step in and help you navigate the legal system so you can get the compensation you deserve. While this may not solve the problem entirely, funds can ease financial distress and improve your overall quality of life.

1 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.

2 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.

3 IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Arsenic, metals, fibres, and dusts. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. 2012 ;100(Pt C):11-465. PMID: 23189751.