In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, locals are excited about receiving a grant from the federal government that can be used to clean up environmental hazards at a former industrial site. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a $300,000 grant for the Milwaukee Redevelopment Authority. The grant money will be used to clean up asbestos and other contaminants at the city’s former Esser Paint site. The grant is pending full Senate approval. The announcement was made earlier this week by Senator Herb Kohl.

According to the Milwaukee Department of City Development, it will cost a total of about $500,000 for demolition, asbestos removal, underground storage tank removal, and additional environmental assessment work. Environmental hazards like asbestos or lead paint can cause serious health problems. Asbestos exposure, even in small amounts, is linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health problems.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, which is almost exclusively linked to exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning it can take years or even decades for the initial symptoms of mesothelioma to develop. Once the symptoms have developed, it can take mere months for the disease to kill a patient. No cure is known, but some treatment options are available.

The Milwaukee Redevelopment Authority gained ownership of the former Esser Paint site earlier this year. They gained control of the property due to a property tax foreclosure. The parcel of land spans 3 acres, and will someday be used for future development like housing projects. But first, the structures on the property will need to be demolished.

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