During a recent government meeting, a local resident shared her alarming experience regarding asbestos removal in her neighborhood, highlighting significant concerns about public safety and regulatory oversight. The woman, a long-time resident of West River, recounted her personal history with asbestos, noting the tragic deaths of family members due to mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

She described a recent incident where a nearby building was demolished using heavy machinery, which resulted in a cloud of debris that she feared contained asbestos. The demolition occurred on a windy day, and she expressed her distress at witnessing the hazardous material being crushed and dispersed without prior notification. This incident raised her concerns about the lack of regulations governing asbestos removal in residential properties, particularly those with fewer than four units.

Despite her attempts to seek professional advice, she felt dismissed by some experts who suggested her fears were unfounded. However, she emphasized her knowledge of the dangers associated with asbestos and called for better safety measures and regulations to protect residents from potential exposure.

The resident's testimony underscores a critical gap in local policies regarding asbestos abatement in smaller residential properties, prompting a need for further discussion and action from city officials to ensure community safety and health.