Mesothelioma Watch A Comprehensive Consumer Resource Concerning Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Residents of an apartment complex in Colorado Springs have found themselves victims of asbestos pollution as the result of an arson fire at Castle West Apartments.  The Colorado Springs Gazette reports that a lawsuit representing fifty three former residents has been filed against the owners of the complex.  The suit alleges many violations of health and safety codes: one of those alleged violations is failure to advise potential tenants that the building contained asbestos, prior to signing of lease agreements.

The complaint about asbestos is based on the substantial financial impact on residents caused by the fire and the asbestos fibers spread by the smoke and efforts by firefighters to extinguish the blaze.  The building’s owner has brought in specialists to clean smoke and water damaged property and returned those items that could be restored to their owners.

What many former Castle West tenants have found, however, is that much of their property could not be decontaminated with regard to asbestos.  The porous surfaces of upholstered furniture, drapery, clothing and linens would not yield the asbestos fibers that had attached themselves.  Furniture, clothing and other household items that otherwise appeared normal had to be disposed of because they had asbestos fibers “woven” into fabrics and surface coverings.