A report from the Environmental Protection Agency says an experimental asbestos demolition method used at a Fort Worth apartment building may have exposed workers and the public to carcinogenic fibers. City officials, however, say the report is unclear.
According to the report, video footage and still photos show government employees and contractors at the site not wearing protective gear which could be a possible violation of OSHA requirements.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Sunday reported that testing of dust from the Oak Hollow apartments in Fort Worth and another building in Fort Chaffee, Ark., showed the release of asbestos fibers.
Fort Worth was believed to be the first urban area to test a "wet" demolition method in which crews take down a building without first removing asbestos. The walls and ceilings are soaked to try to keep fibers from being released.
The EPA's inspector general said the agency should notify anyone who was in or near the building during the 2007 demolition.
NBC 5's Justin Hinton contributed to this report.
