Kansas Department of Corrections to test prisons for carcinogenic asbestos

The Kansas Department of Corrections has hired three private contractors to coordinate an asbestos testing program across numerous buildings in the state prison system. Several months ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discovered violations of both the federal Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants had taken place during asbestos removal at the Topeka Correctional Facility.

Both inmates and prison employees were likely exposed to asbestos, which could ultimately cause them to develop serious health problems later in life.

For example, asbestos exposure has long been linked with development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis, even with mesothelioma treatment. Tragically, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with this aggressive form of cancer every year, as well as thousands more people living abroad. Exposure to asbestos can also cause scarring of the lining of the lungs, asbestosis, and other forms of lung cancer.

"Asbestos is a serious hazard and should always be treated as such," said Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson’s spokesman Seth Bundy.

According to Bill Miskell, spokesman for the corrections department, the money for the asbestos testing comes from the issuance of bonds for infrastructure and safety upgrades at state prisons. "This bond does not allow the money to be used for other, much-needed purposes, such as restoring the forensic psychologist positions," he said.