Additional links for information:
The NOA (Naturally Occurring Asbestos) Citizens Action Group has been formed to encourage the further research. A large amount of information has been posted on-line by UNLV Professors Buck and Rodney Metcalf as well as the Citizens Action Group. Naturally occurring asbestos refers to asbestos found as a natural component of rocks and soils. It occurs in rocks and soils as a result of natural geological processes and is found in many states. Previous to this study the presence of naturally occurring asbestos in Clark County, NV, was not recognized.
Clark County Air Quality has also provided abundant information on their website.
The following are links to this information –
http://tinyurl.com/UNLV-Research
http://tinyurl.com/ClarkCountyAirQuality
Until further studies are completed the public should not panic but be aware and exercise common sense towards minimizing dust emissions to the air. To minimize exposure it is important to keep soil disturbance in these areas to a minimum by limiting dust generating activities, to use water or other methods to prevent dust entrainment into the air and to stabilize soil, and avoid exposure to blowing dust.
Local news station Channel 8 has run a series of stories on this issue including an hour-long program that appeared last Friday. That program is scheduled to be re-broadcast on Channel 8 this Sunday at 4:00 pm. The program can also be viewed on-line at –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BYDDLuZMSk&feature=youtu.be
Several other stories Channel 8 has broadcast over the past several months are linked from this page –
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/dl365/healthy-living/video/i-team-asbestos-found-on-site-of-future-homes
The BC Review has also published articles on the issue –