(1700 Federal Street in Camden)
Camden, once an industrial force like the City of Brotherly Love across the Delaware, has fallen on hard times since industry kept moving South. What's been left over is A) the workforce that once made the factories run, and B) the factories that once filled the nation with hats, bandsaws, pianos, and a million other things that have since been "outsourced." Camden still has Campbell's and we still have Kraft, among others, but it's not news that there are abandoned factories up and down the arteries of our cities.
Some of the dangers posed by abandoned factories are their potential to injure trespassers, to house feral animals (hello, raccoons!), or to leach toxic substances left over from the days when the factory used substances such as asbestos, which most did.
The EPA released a report today announcing completion of their asbestos removal and removal of other hazardous materials from the abandoned factory at 1700 Federal Street:
“EPA took decisive action to protect members of the community who live in close proximity to this abandoned manufacturing site,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “EPA removed containers of hazardous chemicals and old insulation that contained asbestos. The site is now secure and no longer a threat to people or the environment.”
(1700 Federal's identity in the 1920s and 1930's)
Though we cannot predict the industrial future of Camden and Philly, we can assure a safe present for residents. Thanks to the EPA to looking out for Camden, and here's to continued cleanups of hazmats like asbestos!
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