DNR raises questions about air quality, asbestos removal

A program to quickly repair flood-damaged homes is on hold because organizers failed to inspect for asbestos.

“We didn't realize this was an issue,” said Clint Twedt-Ball, program administrator for Cedar Rapids' Block by Block organization, which promised to rebuild flood-damaged neighborhoods one block at a time. About 2,500 volunteers have worked on about 100 homes since July.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials said the organization should have known about rules to check for asbestos, a known carcinogen.

“I was a little surprised when I first heard about it today that they had been dealing with it and hadn't addressed the issue,” said Joe Sanfilippo, DNR environmental program supervisor. “It's a health problem ... and we have to deal with it.”

All major work on homes is being delayed as the DNR investigates.

“We don't want to create panic. We're going to go back and look at things and see how everything was done,” said Tom Wuehr, DNR environmental specialist. “We want to do the right thing.”

Block by Block has promised to cooperate and provide any information the DNR requests.

“We're working with them to make sure we give them all the information they need to make sure we can keep all of our volunteers and employees as safe as possible,” Twedt-Ball said.

DNR officials said they'll likely require Block by Block to inspect every property on which it worked, even though it could stall the recovery process.

“We want to see Cedar Rapids get over this issue with the flood, but we don't want to see repercussions down the road or health problems for people who are doing the work,” Sanfilippo said.

Some people living in the rehabbed homes showed more concern for the volunteers than themselves.

“I definitely appreciate the people who do come in and I'd be concerned if they were to get hurt or they were to get sick from being in my house. I would feel guilty about it,” said homeowner Jordan Lester of 1028 Ninth St. NW.

Another homeowner, Melissa Erlacher of 1100 Eighth St. NW, said, “We're exposed to a lot of things down here and we knew that when we came back. Everything we're breathing in right now is dangerous.”

The delay may jeopardize the group's goal of revamping 12 blocks this year.

“We'll keep moving through this and keep being a hope-filled, solution-centered program. We're not going to give up or quit,” Twedt-Ball said.

Block by Block has ordered asbestos inspections on 18 properties where work is under way. Those inspections will start today.

In the meantime, Block by Block volunteers will only work on minor projects.

-Mark Geary, KCRG-TV9 News