Whenever newsworthy information is released about asbestos, it typically means that something controversial has happened, or some new development has taken place in asbestos litigation between a large company and a group of victims. However, this recent asbestos news is a positive development, specifically for those in the Allentown Pennsylvania area. Here’s what you should know.

‘Will Pay For Asbestos Hazards’

In August of this year, the city council of Allentown Pennsylvania voted to approve the acceptance of a federal grant that would award certain residents the financial compensation needed to fix health and safety hazards in their homes. The federal grant being used is called the Healthy Homes Production Grant Program, and it will allow the city of Allentown to receive $2 million.

What is the Asbestos Grant?

Launched in 1999 as a subsidiary program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Healthy Homes Production Grant Program focuses on a comprehensive approach to addressing various hazards in the home. Rather than being restricted to one type of hazard such as lead, this grant allows residents of private homes, low-income rentals, and owner-occupied housing to address any range of health and safety hazards. 

It’s important to know that, as part of HUD, there are some qualifications for those who can use this asbestos-remediation program. 

Some of the qualifications for thee grant include:

  • Families with children
  • Adults 62 years and older
  • Disabled persons/families

In the case of Allentown’s use of this grant, it seems that the restrictions are not based on the above categories, but only on the stipulation that those who apply must make less than 80% of the city’s median income, which according to the United States Census Bureau, was $47,703 in 2021. Applicants must also be current on their city taxes and related city bills.

How the Asbestos Grant Provides Help

While the federal grant aims at addressing everything from mold, asbestos lead, tripping hazards, roof leaks, and more, the town recognizes that asbestos is among the most common and significant health hazards to plague the city of Allentown. 

Qualified applicants can expect to receive funding for up to ten thousand dollars in repairs and replacement materials in their home or apartment, which is great news for those concerned particularly with the status of asbestos-containing materials in their place of residence. While homes with asbestos-containing materials are a nationwide concern, the city council believes that Allentown’s median income at less than the national average has prohibited some residents from seeking to repair these necessary hazards. While the cost of asbestos abatement can vary greatly, this grant will certainly help many families and homeowners enjoy the peace of mind of a safe residence.

Allentown is Part of America’s Asbestos History

Of course, the American mind is not entirely unfamiliar with the hazardous history of Allentown PA. Thanks to the popular hit Allentown Billy Joel this Pennsylvania town has long been associated with steel mills and working-class America for decades, particularly Bethlehem Steel, a prior giant in the steel mill industry. While the song is more about the struggle of working-class Americans in general, it does offer a look into the reality of the steel industry and other aspects of occupational hazards- hazards that are largely related to asbestos.

Prior to the 1980s ban on asbestos by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos was commonly used throughout the construction and manufacturing industries. 

Because of the widespread use of asbestos, the material became known as one of the most significant occupational exposures, particularly due to its widespread presence across many industries. On the one hand, the asbestos industry itself was busy manufacturing hundreds of asbestos products for construction and manufacturing purposes, which put workers at risk of being exposed to asbestos fibers on a daily basis. However, on the other hand, asbestos remained a common (and hidden) threat for workers who did not directly deal with asbestos in any capacity. 

Nearly every building constructed before the mid-1980s contained asbestos building materials and products. Many still remain and have to be removed safely.

The reason for this is that asbestos could be found in the construction products used to build these factories, warehouses, shipyards, and industrial facilities. The steel industry was no exception to this. Asbestos has long been noted as a durable material, offering weaker materials much-needed protection from things like fire and heat hazards. Steel mills were notoriously hot environments, and they needed to be protected with a durable material. Asbestos was the popular option but at the expense of workers’ health.

Homes in Allentown that may contain asbestos

Unfortunately, asbestos was not only used in industrial and construction environments. It was popular in home construction as well. While it is impossible to determine how much asbestos is present in every home without an individual analysis, the generally safe assumption is to assume that asbestos is present in any home constructed before the ban on asbestos in the mid-1980s. However, due to construction shipping and manufacturing delays, it is estimated that even some homes built in the early to mid-1990s may have used asbestos-containing materials. 

Some of the key areas where asbestos was used in home construction include insulation products, flooring adhesive and tiles, spray coatings, cement boards, plaster, some paint applications, and boiler/piping wrapping. These do not represent an exhaustive list of asbestos products, however.

What to Do?

Those who qualify for this grant in Allentown should take full advantage of seeking asbestos remediation in any applicable manner in their home or apartment. However, it is important to note that asbestos is sometimes safer to leave alone than it is to remove it. This depends on whether asbestos is damaged, in which case, it should be removed as soon as possible. 

But rather than homeowners or tenants exposing themselves to asbestos hazards, they should reach out to a licensed asbestos abatement company for a professional assessment of any asbestos hazards in a residential space. These professional companies can offer testing, removal, and remediation efforts, applicable to local, state, and federal regulations, keeping residents safe and “hands-off” throughout the entire process. While this option is often costly, having a grant to help fund or entirely fund the project can go a long way to ensure the health of friends, family, and yourself.