"Asbestos" Sign

"Asbestos" Spectacle Island Wayside

NPS Photo/M Mark

Quick Facts

Location:

Spectacle Island

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

*Note: there is a duplicate version of this sign further down the trail*

Description

Low-profile wayside that is 40.5 x 24 3/8 inches, with interpretation panel spanning 36.5 inches wide. It has a grey square base with two rectangular pillars supporting the panel. The panel is framed in grey metal. The sign is located on the perimeter accessible trail by the South Drumlin. 

Layout

At the top of the sign is a black banner with white text. Aligned to the left is text that reads “Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.” Aligned to the right is text that reads “Owned by the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.” The section of text is titled, “Asbestos on Spectacle Island Beaches“ aligned to the left in red text below the black banner. The panel background is a view of a rocky beach and view of the harbor. Text fills the majority of the panel in two columns, one on the left that is composed of two paragraphs and one on the right with four different subsections. These subsections have the titles: “What is asbestos?” “Why is asbestos a hazard?” “Beach Management,” and “How do I report asbestos found on the island?” Beneath the text column is a group of six pieces of asbestos. On the very bottom left of the sign the panel title reads “Asbestos” in red text. 

Image (bottom right)

A grouping of 6 pieces of asbestos. On top is one small piece of asbestos: it is squarish, grey, and brown and has a hole in the center. Next to it is a caption that reads “These pieces of asbestos are shown at actual size.” Beneath the piece and the caption are five more pieces lined in a row. Starting from left to right, the first one has reddish coloring around the edges and is rectangular, followed by one that is triangular and has a grey tint. The third one is greenish, square with the bottom broken off and two holes in the top. The fourth one is brown in a long and skinny rectangular shape. The last piece is long and short with a hole in the center and has a reddish color. 

Image Caption

These pieces of asbestos are shown at actual size. 

Image Credit

Photo 2005, Courtesy of Nicholas Paffett, Krent/Paffett/Carney Inc. 

Image Description (background)

A view looking out from the rocky beach of Spectacle Island onto the sparkling blue water of the harbor. To the left is a small rocky hill with low shrubs. Across the water sits Deer Island, where there are six white egg-shaped orbs that make up the Deer Island Wastewater treatment plant. To the left of the white eggs are small brown buildings. They stand out starkly against the bright blue sky that covers the top two thirds of the photo. Deer Island juts out from the left, reaching about three quarters of the way through the image.  

Main Text (left column)

Pieces of asbestos shingles and brake linings have been found on the beaches at Spectacle Island. These asbestos containing materials appear to have washed ashore from an off-island source and were confined to the beach. 

The material my be difficult to differentiate from other items found on the beach. The suspect materials have been found in various sizes and shapes, the sizes range from that of a nickel to approximately the size of a 4 x 6 inch note card. Typically the suspect material has been beige or black in color and square or triangular in shape. 

Main Text (right column) 

What is Asbestos? Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been mined for their thermal stability and high tensile strength. Asbestos can be grouped into two types: Friable and Non-Friable. Friable asbestos when dry can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Non-friable asbestos when dry cannot be crumbled, pulverized, etc. By hand pressure. 

Why is asbestos a hazard? Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that when disturbed may become airborne. Once in the air they may be inhaled into the lungs, and can cause significant health problems. Unconsolidated asbestos fibers have not been detected in the sand at Spectacle Island. 

Beach Management. As required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, during the recreational season the Island Caretaker conducts regular inspections of the beaches on Spectacle Island to identify and remove any suspected asbestos containing materials that may have washed ashore. 

How do I report asbestos found on the island? Report suspected asbestos containing materials to any park employee. Please note the location of the suspect material but do not disturb it.