Iconic Tower Needs Costly Clean-up
Friday, August 7th, 2009Lehigh County, Pennsylvania will receive a $900,000 federal grant to remove asbestos from Bethlehem Steel Corp.’s former headquarters tower as part of the building’s renovation as a huge residential and retail complex. Local leaders sought financial assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because the 21-story building has extensive asbestos contamination and removing it is projected to cost $7.4 million.
Once used widely in building materials and in insulation, asbestos is toxic to humans if inhaled, causing lung cancer, mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs, and other serious respiratory problems.
Lehigh County leaders told The Express-Times of Easton, Penn., that the building is an icon of the region and expressed hope that the federal aid will help expedite the redevelopment project so it can generate additional property taxes.
