Nov. 22, 1999
Ursula Kramer/Utah Air Quality Director: "We'll certainly look at that material. But we had not heard about the nut resin until just this weekend."
It may sound like a nutty theory: Could oil from cashew trees be getting into the air and making people sick in Payson?
Health officials say it's a possibility, as they probe the air quality at a brake-shoe company.
First, attention focused on asbestos. Now it's cashews.
Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst reports.
As we reported previously, inspectors at the State Division of Air Quality find low levels of asbestos in the air outside the plant in Payson.
But the question now is whether there's a more immediate problem caused by asbestos substitutes.
Brake linings have to stand up to extreme heat. Traditionally, asbestos was the ingredient of choice, until scientists raised health concerns.
The Rayloc plant in Payson refurbishes old brakes, a process that includes high heat.
Neighbors quietly organized to get action from health officials because of bad smells.
Kimberly Bunker/Payson Resident: "We had to shut off our swamp coolers, it was so bad. It was awful."
State inspectors found small amounts of airborne asbestos and are now organizing a major study.
Ursula Kramer/Utah Director of Air Quality: "And what we're trying to do now is figure out what the hazards are that are associated with that."
Darren Bunker/Payson Resident: "I think the asbestos was our claim to fame, our hook to bring them in."
Activist neighbors believe something else in the air is causing headaches, nausea, nosebleeds and respiratory distress. Darren Bunker is especially worried about children.
Darren Bunker: "They're here 23 hours on any given day, breathing it at any given time."
A new theory is that a by-product from the cashew tree is causing the smell and the symptoms. Brake linings containing cashew resin came into use when asbestos fell out of favor. The Utah County Health Department says the black oily resin is akin to poison ivy and is known to be caustic, corrosive and capable of blistering the skin.
They're taking seriously the possibility it's getting into the air at Rayloc. And the state will look into it too.
Ursula Kramer: "That is something we'll do. We'll certainly look at that material. But we had not heard about the nut resin until just this weekend."
Craig Smith, Payson resident: "If it was looked into, that's great. Because if it's solvable, I'm all for it."
State and county officials have praised the company for its cooperation in getting to the bottom of this.
But so far, the company has not returned our phone calls.
