[MassHistPres] Environmental hazards of demolition of older homes

[WN Hill Preservation]

We are looking for input on the public health and environmental
consequences of demolitions of historic homes.

Based on research
<http://www.aecf.org/resources/responsible-demolition-a-baltimore-case-study-with-national-implications/>
there
are risks of lead and asbestos contamination to air and soil. Apparently
cities in other parts of the country such as Baltimore, Detroit and
Portland Oregon have stricter guidelines than we seem to have in Newton. In
Portland, OR pre-1916 homes need to be dismantled piece by piece for
maximum reuse, which is consistent with minimizing usable materials going
to landfill.

The minimum steps for safely would seem to include testing the soil and air
before and after demolitions, and giving advance notice to neighbors to
close windows and keep children, pets and vegetable gardens safe, but this
doesn't seem to be the practice here.

An 1855 house in our neighborhood on West Newton Hill is being sold to a
developer and is under immediate threat. Would be interested to know of any
research on public health risks of demolitions of older homes in
Massachusetts.

Also are there stricter guidelines in force in other communities in
Massachusetts  about what happens when older structures are
demolished? (eg monitoring;
notifying neighbors of risks; requiring salvage rather than disposal of
intact architectural components)

Laura Foote, West Newton Hill Preservation Initiative


WNHpreservation.org <http://wnhpreservation.org/>
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