Asbestos removal underway at Willmar Church

Mahanaim Church, located in Willmar, Minnesota, will soon be demolished. The dilapidated building has set empty, and is deemed unsafe. Asbestos removal is underway in preparation for the demolition. A demolition permit for the work was secured last week, reports West Central Tribune.

MAAC Inc., of Montevideo, is removing the hazardous material from the 89-year-old building. A dozen workers are working to complete the asbestos abatement process, which is expected to conclude by the end of next week.

Approval for asbestos abatement was given by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Once the material is entirely removed, the building will be razed.

Asbestos is a toxic material, found in many older homes and buildings. When the material is disturbed, it can easily be aerosolized–creating a dangerous environment for workers and community residents.

Extended exposure to the material has been known to cause several diseases, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare disease, known to form from the mesothelium.

Symptoms of the asbestos cancer, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, lie dormant for several decades. Because of this, even the best mesothelioma doctors struggle to diagnose patients in the early stages of their disease. Mesothelioma treatment is simply palliative as there is no cure.

Bruce Peterson, director of planning and development services for the city, said the owner of the church came to an agreement with a private contractor for a land swap to make the project work. Because of this agreement, the city won’t have to invest funds in the razing process.