Hard-won info released, and The O exposes the threat among us

This week United Neighborhoods for Reform sent out its flier for neighbors faced with demolitions including info on how to protect yourself and children from the assumed release of hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos. Neighbors can and should take small steps toward safety for themselves and their families because most demolitions involve uncontrolled release of lead and/or asbestos particles into the air. Read a well-rounded package of reporting from The Oregonian on this important public health and safety issue here:

Unsettling dust: Hundreds of Portland homes demolished with asbestos inside

Oregon penalties for failure to remove asbestos can pale next to real estate profits

How Oregon’s construction industry got the state to back off asbestos rules

Asbestos in Portland home demolitions: How we did the analysis

Found with asbestos: North Portland demolition prompts fines

Other Oregonian stories that followed on the issue:

Asbestos in home demolitions: See the data Oregon officials took months to release
Tougher asbestos rules needed, experts tell Oregon environmental regulators
Oregon's asbestos rules lag behind the rest of the country and federal minimum standards
LO realtor now convicted criminal for hiring cheaper day laborers to remodel asbestos-laden home
Oregon examines tougher asbestos controls for demolitions
Hazardous remodel leads to criminal charges for real estate broker