First Alert 4 Investigates: Hidden dangers during storm cleanup

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Over the past two weeks, First Alert 4 has highlighted the mounting challenges for those affected by the May 16 tornado, from insurance concerns to short-term housing to clearing debris left behind by the twister.

In the midst of all the debris, there could be hidden dangers lurking from recent storms.

Toxic materials like asbestos, lead and even mold could wreak havoc on your health in the aftermath of a tornado.

Property owners asked First Alert 4 to investigate: Is there asbestos in the materials they were touching and cleaning up? And if so, what should they do?

So First Alert 4 Investigates ed the owner of a local environmental company to help answer those questions.

“They don’t know what they don’t know, unfortunately,” said Jeff Miller, owner of Scope Environmental LLC.

In the piles around people’s properties, hidden dangers.

“Basically, asbestos was used in all types of building materials throughout the middle part of the last century,” he said.

Miller says asbestos was in the air right after the tornado.

“But that’s probably since settled out or been blown away by the winds. But now the real risk would be the building materials that are scattered along the ground. They could potentially have asbestos fibers or lead paint in them,” Miller said.

Both lead and asbestos are dangerous to your health, with asbestos known to cause cancer and mesothelioma.

The risk, Miller said, is not over.

“When you start disturbing that dust, they become airborne and then they become respirable. So while you’re just trying to do your best to clean up some debris, you might unknowingly be exposing yourself to asbestos fibers,” he said.

As cleanup continues, Miller told First Alert 4 Investigates that people should be taking precautions. Namely, he recommends something to cover your eyes, thick disposable gloves and a face mask with an asbestos-rated filter.

“Even if you have a good mask like an N95 lying around that is rated for health things, that is not good enough for asbestos because the fibers can go through and around those masks,” Miller said.

Miller said that property owners shouldn’t panic. Asbestos might not be everywhere — you simply don’t know.

“Asbestos fibers are microscopic, and so you can’t see them just naturally. It doesn’t glow. Like you said, it requires microscopic evaluation of building material,” said Miller.

One homeowner gave First Alert 4 Investigates some samples he picked up from his damaged property, and we gave them to Miller to do an official test. Results are still pending.

“They’ll be taken to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The analysis usually will take a couple of days, and then a report will be generated that says whether or not the material does in fact contain asbestos,” said Miller.

Meanwhile, he said, as people pick up pieces of their lives, they should still put their health first.

“Just try to reduce the risk to yourself or others,” he said.

Miller recommends protecting your clothes, too, with a disposable coverall or a painter’s suit.

He also suggests, if you’re having trouble finding thick latex gloves, just go to the dollar store. First Alert 4 Investigates found work gloves there — you could pick up several pairs and then simply throw them away when you’re done. We also found safety goggles there, too.

First Alert 4 Investigates should have those test results back soon, and we’ll of course let you know.

Copyright 2025 KMOV. All rights reserved.