The Tustin Hangar Fire: Asbestos Challenge and Response

Two weeks following the catastrophic blimp hangar fire at the decommissioned Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, local residents are still grappling with the aftermath, primarily concerning asbestos debris. The fire, which engulfed the historic hangar, led to significant asbestos contamination in nearby neighborhoods, posing serious health and environmental concerns. 

Key Points: 

• Asbestos Contamination and Health Risks: Following the blimp hangar fire at the decommissioned Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, the local community faces significant health and environmental concerns due to asbestos debris. This contamination poses serious health risks, as highlighted by Professor Ogunseitan of UC Irvine, who emphasizes that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. 
• Community Impact and Challenges: Residents near the fire site have been displaced from their homes and faced unexpected expenses for asbestos testing and remediation. Jeff Lawrence, a local resident, shares his personal experience of independently funding asbestos testing, revealing high levels of asbestos in the debris. This situation reflects the wider community’s struggle with financial and health burdens. 
• Governmental Response and Funding Issues: Tustin City Council has allocated $7.8 million from city reserves for cleanup efforts, hoping for state or federal reimbursement. However, this amount is only partial coverage of the cleanup costs. The U.S. Navy, which owns the hangar, has contributed $1 million, with more support expected. Mayor Lumbard points out bureaucratic challenges and regulatory hurdles in coordinating the cleanup efforts across various environmental agencies. 
• Historical Hazard Awareness: The fire has brought attention to a previously known hazard. A 2020 report by the Orange County Grand Jury had already identified the presence of asbestos in the south hangar, suggesting similar conditions in the north hangar. 
• Need for Clear Communication and Stronger Action: There is a growing call among residents for clearer communication and more decisive action from state officials. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued advisories on the asbestos risk, but residents like Lawrence urge for more proactive measures in emergency situations. The city continues its efforts in air monitoring and debris removal, providing updates and guidance through its website. 

Residents in the affected areas have reported numerous challenges, including being displaced from their homes and incurring unexpected expenses. Many have temporarily relocated to hotels while their homes undergo asbestos testing and remediation. Jeff Lawrence, a resident living close to the hangar, highlighted the widespread presence of debris in his yard and on his roof. He independently funded testing for asbestos, revealing that the debris contained 20% to 70% asbestos in different samples. This situation reflects the broader community’s struggle with unanticipated financial burdens and health risks. 

According to Lawrence, the lack of a cohesive strategy among various agencies has led to confusion and frustration among residents. Mayor Austin Lumbard of Tustin expressed his frustration with the bureaucratic hurdles involved in cleaning up private property, citing regulatory challenges in aligning different environmental agencies for prompt action. 

In an effort to expedite the cleanup process, the Tustin City Council approved the use of $7.8 million from the city’s reserves to pay asbestos contractors, with hopes of state or federal reimbursement. However, Mayor Lumbard noted that this amount would only cover part of the cleanup costs. The U.S. Navy, owning the hangar, contributed $1 million to the efforts, with promises of more support to come. 

The fire highlights a previously known hazard, as a 2020 Orange County Grand Jury report had already identified the presence of asbestos, lead, and other contaminants in the south hangar, with an assumption of similar conditions in the north hangar. Professor Oladele Ogunseitan of UC Irvine’s Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention emphasized the grave risks of asbestos exposure, stating that there is no known safe level and that once asbestos lands on surfaces, it does not degrade, posing a long-term risk. 

As residents continue to navigate these challenges, the need for clearer communication and more vigorous action from state officials has been a growing sentiment. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued advisories regarding the asbestos risk, but residents like Lawrence call for more proactive measures in emergency situations. The city continues to provide updates and guidance through its website, maintaining an ongoing effort in air monitoring and debris removal. 

This catastrophic fire at the decommissioned Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, not only sheds light on the immediate and long-term impacts of environmental disasters on local communities but also underscores the complexities of emergency response and the importance of effective coordination among various governmental agencies.