CC Health Dept. issues statement on Kroger closing
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The Illinois EPA (IDPH) closed the Kroger grocery store in Taylorville on Friday, July 29, after discovering improperly removed and resurfaced flooring materials containing asbestos, which released fibers into the air.
The asbestos fiber release has made the store unsafe for anyone to occupy and the store will be closed until testing indicates it is safe to reopen.
Although the extent of the contamination is not yet known, asbestos fibers could have contaminated produce or other goods being processed or packaged in the store such as meat, baked goods, salad bar or ready-to-eat-foods. The Christian County Health Department (CCHD) recommends that people who have purchased produce or in-store packaged foods from the store during the last 2 weeks of July place these items in a sealed bag to be thrown away. Canned products or items packaged outside the store should be wiped down with soap and water before opening. Bags used to carry items from the store should also be discarded.
At this time, CCHD does not anticipate there would be any immediate health hazards to anyone from these exposures. Inhaling asbestos fibers from repeated exposures over time may cause asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs; or cancer of the lung, the lining of the abdominal cavity or the digestive system.CCHD would not expect effects like these from the possible exposures from the Kroger store; however, wet wiping of canned products and packaged items will minimize any exposures that could occur when the packaging is disturbed during opening.
CCHD does not anticipate any immediate health hazards from having eaten foods from the Kroger store, but the precautions described above should reduce potential hazards.Studies suggest that the majority of asbestos-related illnesses, including cancer, from ingestion require multiple exposures over time and do not present themselves for many years.
