In Sioux City, Iowa, city council members have become increasingly concerned over a local vacant building. The site is known to contain asbestos. Asbestos was once commonly used in decades past for a variety of applications.

Because the substance has a high resistance to damage caused by flames or chemicals, it was ideally suited as a building material. Asbestos was commonly used in floor and ceiling tiles, fireproofing, insulation for boilers and pipes, as well as caulking and adhesive. The material is no longer used in new construction due to federal regulations. Asbestos exposure is known to cause serious health problems like lung cancer and mesothelioma in some cases.

City council members have been asked to approve a contract to demolish the vacant apartment building. The company under consideration is Hebert Construction, of Sioux City, who say they can demolish the site for only $44,440. The building, located at 400-412 1/2 14th Street, has been declared a public safety issue by city officials.

Terry Nelson, inspections services manager, spoke at a press conference held by the Mayor. According to Nelson, the building’s owner has not taken care of the property. According to the Woodbury County Assessor’s website, the property is owned by Jolanta Bankowska, of Oakland, California.

Old stucco is falling from the building’s exterior. The asbestos-laden building has become a haven for vandals and transients. "The property is extremely unsafe," Nelson said. "We need people to stay as far away from it as possible."

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