In Hanford, Washington, the last water tower on the site of a former Manhattan Project site has been taken down. Project Director Bobby Smith says workers had to deal with asbestos and lead in the tower before demolishing the structure.

“Probably the biggest challenge is doing it safely and making sure we don’t impact the environment or the river. Any time you’re talking this large of a structure, we’ve got to put folks up on lifts to attach the slings,” said Smith.

Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

According to the US EPA, “Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber, once widely used in building materials and products for its thermal insulating properties and fire resistance. Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk.”

If disturbed or damaged, asbestos materials in any structure, but especially older buildings, can become friable, and asbestos fibers may be ingested or inhaled. If they settle in the mesothelium, or lining of the body’s internal organs, they can eventually forms a malignancy known as mesothelioma.

The water tower, built as part of the Manhattan Project, was on site to douse any fires at the “D” reactor.

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