By Janice Pennington on December 30, 2009

The Tourist Motel in Yakima, Washington has been partially closed after one of the facility’s three buildings was found to be contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, which can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis when inhaled and lodged in the lungs.

On December 14, 2009, the motel was raided by Yakima city officials along with agents from the Regional Clean Air Agency and the Yakima Health District. Asbestos was found in a 30-unit, two-story structure of the motel, which was then shuttered and closed, pending extensive renovation to remove the asbestos. The danger posed by asbestos during renovations is a serious one. When old asbestos fibers are dislodged or disturbed, they are released into the air, where they can be breathed in by workers or those living nearby. The City cannot force the motel owner to remodel the motel. But if the contaminated structure sits vacant for an extended period, Yakima officials can enforce city nuisance ordinances governing abandoned structures.

For more information, go to http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/29/city-not-likely-to-close-tourist-motel.