This 7-acre property, once a bustling hub of textile production dating back to the early 19th century, has been abandoned since 1983. Now, it's at the center of a crucial environmental intervention to protect public health and pave the way for future development. Asbestos is a known environmental and occupational hazard causally related to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
The Challenge
The ATP site at 1 Van Houten Avenue is a stark reminder of Paterson's industrial heritage. Severely deteriorated buildings remain, including a cluster of five interconnected structures surrounding a towering 118-foot smokestack. These remnants harbor a hidden danger: friable asbestos.
Asbestos, once prized for its fire-resistant properties, is now known to cause serious health issues, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other cancers. As the buildings continue to crumble, the risk of asbestos fibers being released into the environment grows, posing a threat to nearby residents and visitors.
The EPA's Plan
The EPA's cleanup operation is a carefully orchestrated effort to remove this hazardous material safely. The plan includes:
1. Securing or removing asbestos and other hazardous substances
2. Implementing strict health and safety protocols
3. Using dust control measures and air quality monitoring
4. Disposing of hazardous materials at permitted facilities
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia emphasized the importance of this cleanup, stating, "EPA is committed to removing any asbestos contamination from this site to protect people who live near the site or will use the nearby recreational areas."
Balancing History and Safety
The site's historical significance makes this cleanup particularly challenging. The ATP site is part of the Great Falls National Historic Landmark District, a testament to Paterson's role in America's industrial revolution.
Recognizing this, the EPA is working closely with various partners, including:
- The City of Paterson
- The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office
- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- The National Park Service
Their collective goal is to preserve historically significant structures and artifacts while ensuring the community's safety.
Looking to the Future
This cleanup operation is more than just a remediation effort; it's a step towards revitalizing a piece of Paterson's landscape. By addressing the environmental hazards at the ATP site, the EPA is opening up possibilities for future use of this historically rich property.
As the cleanup progresses over the coming months, it will make the area safer and pave the way for new developments that could benefit the Paterson community while honoring its industrial legacy.
The EPA has committed to keeping the community informed throughout the process, recognizing the importance of transparency in such a significant undertaking.
For Paterson residents and history enthusiasts alike, this cleanup represents a delicate balance between preserving the past and ensuring a safer, healthier future. It's a reminder that even as we honor our industrial heritage, we must also address its lingering environmental impacts for the well-being of current and future generations.
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| Allied Textile Printers abandoned the site Paterson, New Jersey |
The Challenge
The ATP site at 1 Van Houten Avenue is a stark reminder of Paterson's industrial heritage. Severely deteriorated buildings remain, including a cluster of five interconnected structures surrounding a towering 118-foot smokestack. These remnants harbor a hidden danger: friable asbestos.
Asbestos, once prized for its fire-resistant properties, is now known to cause serious health issues, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other cancers. As the buildings continue to crumble, the risk of asbestos fibers being released into the environment grows, posing a threat to nearby residents and visitors.
The EPA's Plan
The EPA's cleanup operation is a carefully orchestrated effort to remove this hazardous material safely. The plan includes:
1. Securing or removing asbestos and other hazardous substances
2. Implementing strict health and safety protocols
3. Using dust control measures and air quality monitoring
4. Disposing of hazardous materials at permitted facilities
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia emphasized the importance of this cleanup, stating, "EPA is committed to removing any asbestos contamination from this site to protect people who live near the site or will use the nearby recreational areas."
Balancing History and Safety
The site's historical significance makes this cleanup particularly challenging. The ATP site is part of the Great Falls National Historic Landmark District, a testament to Paterson's role in America's industrial revolution.
Recognizing this, the EPA is working closely with various partners, including:
- The City of Paterson
- The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office
- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- The National Park Service
Their collective goal is to preserve historically significant structures and artifacts while ensuring the community's safety.
Looking to the Future
This cleanup operation is more than just a remediation effort; it's a step towards revitalizing a piece of Paterson's landscape. By addressing the environmental hazards at the ATP site, the EPA is opening up possibilities for future use of this historically rich property.
As the cleanup progresses over the coming months, it will make the area safer and pave the way for new developments that could benefit the Paterson community while honoring its industrial legacy.
The EPA has committed to keeping the community informed throughout the process, recognizing the importance of transparency in such a significant undertaking.
For Paterson residents and history enthusiasts alike, this cleanup represents a delicate balance between preserving the past and ensuring a safer, healthier future. It's a reminder that even as we honor our industrial heritage, we must also address its lingering environmental impacts for the well-being of current and future generations.
Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon L., Paterson's Textile Past Unravels: EPA Tackles Asbestos Threat, www.gelmans.com (09/20/2024)
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*Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters). For over five decades, the Law Offices of Jon Gelman 1.973.696.7900
jon@gelmans.com has represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational illnesses and diseases.
Blog: Workers' Compensation
LinkedIn: JonGelman
LinkedIn Group: Injured Workers Law & Advocacy Group
Author: "Workers' Compensation Law" West-Thomson-Reuters
Mastodon:@gelman@mstdn.social
Blue Sky: jongelman@bsky.social
© 2024 Jon L Gelman. All rights reserved.
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