Earlier this month the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a test of a controversial new asbestos removal method on an office building at an empty apartment complex in Fort Worth, TX--the EPA's first test of its kind in a densely populated urban area. Known as the "Fort Worth method", it involves hosing down asbestos-containing buildings with water and firefighter's chemical foam in order to trap the asbestos particles and prevent them from becoming airborne as the building is being demolished. All of the water used is trench-collected and disposed of. This new method has been touted as a safe way to remove asbestos that is faster and less expensive than traditional methods.

According to the EPA, earlier tests of the Fort Worth method conducted in more remote areas have shown it to be at least as effective as traditional asbestos removal strategies. However, those who oppose the method are concerned that if it is approved by the EPA for use across the country, property owners and asbestos removal contractors will not follow the correct procedure for trenching, collecting and filtering the water and using the chemical foam--shortcuts that could put the lives of a whole new generation of people in danger of deadly asbestos exposure. Others say the new method is not appropriate for urban areas because of a lack of clearance from nearby buildings and that it will not be cost-effective for buildings larger than 5,000 square feet.

Despite opposition from the asbestos workers union and members of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, the most recent test went ahead as planned. According to the EPA the test went well, however data from monitoring devices at the site will not be available for 45-60 days, and a report on the test will not be released until May 2008.