Workers' Compensation: Great Falls: Asbestos Abatement Underway

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commenced a significant $4 million project in June 2025 to remove hazardous materials, including asbestos and lead, from the Allied Textile Printing (ATP) site in Paterson, New Jersey. This long-awaited cleanup is a critical step towards the full opening of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park's new $8 million riverwalk, which has been awaiting the completion of the remediation efforts.

The initial phase of the project involves securing the crumbling smokestack of the ATP plant, which has been deteriorating since a fire in 1983. EPA spokesman Stephen McBay stated that while equipment is being mobilized, the actual brick removal from the smokestack will begin shortly, though it's still uncertain if the entire structure will be dismantled for worker safety during asbestos removal.

US EPA

Protecting the community and workers from asbestos exposure is a top priority. The EPA has implemented measures such as continuous air quality monitoring and regular testing of air samples for asbestos. Additionally, once asbestos removal from the gutted factory buildings begins, workers will consistently water down the site to prevent asbestos particles from becoming airborne. McBay assured residents that closing windows should not be necessary, as air is being monitored at all times and any potential issue would be detected well in advance. The EPA has also created a project website and a community involvement coordinator for residents to address their concerns and stay informed.

Asbestos exposure can cause a range of serious and often fatal diseases, both cancerous and non-cancerous. The symptoms of these diseases typically don't appear until 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure.

CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP

Medical conditions caused by the exposure to asbestos fiber:

Cancers:

Mesothelioma: This is a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects the thin lining of the lungs (pleura), but can also occur in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardium), or even the testes. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma.
Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for individuals who also smoke. Both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have been linked to asbestos.
Ovarian Cancer: Research has established a definitive link between asbestos exposure and an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women.
Laryngeal Cancer: Asbestos exposure is also a known risk factor for cancer of the voice box (larynx).
Other Cancers (possible links): Some studies suggest a possible link between asbestos exposure and cancers of the pharynx (throat), stomach, colon, bile duct, esophagus, and kidney, though more research is needed to definitively confirm these associations.

Non-Cancerous Diseases:

Asbestosis: This is a chronic and progressive lung disease caused by inhaled asbestos fibers that lead to scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue. This scarring makes it difficult to breathe and can lead to severe shortness of breath, persistent cough, and chest pain.
Pleural Plaques: These are hardened calcium deposits that form on the pleura (the lining of the lungs). While often not serious on their own, they indicate asbestos exposure and can sometimes cause breathing problems if thick.
Pleural Thickening (Diffuse Pleural Thickening): This involves widespread scarring and thickening of the pleura, which can restrict lung expansion and cause breathing difficulties.
Pleural Effusion: This is a buildup of fluid between the layers of the pleura, which can cause chest pain and shortness of breath.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): While often caused by smoking, asbestos exposure can also contribute to the development or worsening of COPD.
Rounded Atelectasis (Folded Lung): This is a type of lung collapse where a small, rounded portion of the lung folds on itself, often associated with asbestos exposure.
Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Inflammation of the pleura, which can cause sharp chest pain, and may occur with pleural effusions.

It's important to remember that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Even brief or secondhand exposure can lead to these serious health problems decades later. If you have a history of asbestos exposure, it's crucial to discuss it with your doctor for appropriate monitoring and potential screening.

NEIGHBORHOOD EXPOSURE

The presence of asbestos at sites like the ATP plant in Paterson underscores a long-standing public health issue. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and its widespread use in manufacturing during the 20th century, particularly in industrial urban areas like Paterson, has left a legacy of occupational diseases, workers' compensation claims, and civil lawsuits for damages. This unfortunate history is further highlighted by studies like those published by Irving J. Selikoff, MD, who extensively researched the neighborhood contamination of asbestos, demonstrating how exposure can extend beyond the workplace to surrounding communities.

ASBESTOS BAN

Despite the known dangers, the United States has yet to implement a complete ban on asbestos products, a stance that sets it apart from many other developed nations. Past administrations, including the Trump administration, have faced criticism for stalling or reversing regulatory actions aimed at a complete ban on asbestos. This ongoing debate leaves communities like Paterson, still grappling with the remnants of industrial asbestos use, vulnerable to its continued health risks.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The EPA began a $4 million project in June 2025 to remove asbestos and lead from the Allied Textile Printing (ATP) site in Paterson, NJ.
This cleanup is crucial for opening the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park's new $8 million riverwalk.
Measures are being taken to protect the public and workers, including air quality monitoring and watering down the site to prevent asbestos from becoming airborne.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and historical industrial activity in urban areas like Paterson has led to significant occupational diseases and legal actions.
The blog post highlights the ongoing debate about a complete asbestos ban in the U.S.

Additional Resources

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park nps.gov

EPA Allied Textile Printing Site Cleanup - Smokestack Deconstruction May 2025 All Documents

Anderson HA, Selikoff IJ. Pleural reactions to environmental agents. Fed Proc. 1978 Sep;37(11):2496-500. PMID: 357181

Anderson HA, Lilis R, Daum SM, Selikoff IJ. Asbestosis among household contacts of asbestos factory workers. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1979;330:387-99. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb18741.x. PMID: 294190.

Hammond EC, Garfinkel L, Selikoff IJ, Nicholson WJ. Mortality experience of residents in the neighborhood of an asbestos factory. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1979;330:417-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb18743.x. PMID: 294192.

Kannerstein M, Churg J, McCaughey E, Selikoff IJ. Pathogenic effects of asbestos. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1977 Dec;101(12):623-8. PMID: 337935.

IARC To Review Human Carcinogens-metals, arsenic, dusts & fibers (asbestos) gelmans.com 2020

About Asbestos/Mesothelioma Litigation and Claims gelmans.com

Anderson v. AJ Friedman Supply Co., 3 A. 3d 545 - NJ: Appellate Div. 2010

Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon, Great Falls: Asbestos Abatement Underway (06/08/2025) https://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/2025/06/great-falls-asbestos-abatement-underway.html

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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.