Officials in Holyoke, Massachusetts have begun to remove asbestos from a former paper mill that was damaged in a fire in 2008.

According to this article, the removal began in October and is expected to last until the summer.

Asbestos is a dangerous material that has been linked to numerous health problems, including mesothelioma which is a rare and often deadly form of cancer. Even brief exposure to asbestos has been linked with health problems. Because the material is so dangerous, officials must be trained and in many cases licensed to remove it. Proper equipment and safety precautions are also required for the task.

The article says that asbestos at the site was located in roof shingles, window caulking and tank and pipe insulation.