The residents asked for help because the majority only speak Spanish, and they claim that property managers did not have enough translators.

On March 23 a six-alarm fire caused $4 to $5 million in damages at the apartments.

The Red Cross does not normally deal with asbestos issues; however, the Santa Clara chapter brought in American Lung Association environmental specialist Dennis Acha to speak to worried residents.

On March 31 Acha, who is bilingual, told the residents in the Willow Glen Middle School shelter that asbestos is a common mineral fiber that was once used for heat insulation and fire resistance. However, it is no longer used because it was discovered to be carcinogenic, causing lung cancer if airborne for prolonged periods.

The probability of residents having adverse effects from asbestos exposure was low, Acha added, because asbestos was only airborne after the fire. Residents were only inside the building for a brief period of time after the fire to fetch their belongings.

According San Jose Fire Department Capt. Allison Cabral, tests done by a third- party environmental hygienist showed asbestos levels lower than the federal standards. The federal standard is 70 fibers per square millimeter and the lower floors had air test results of only 15.2 fibers per square millimeter. In the section of the third floor where the fire began, air tests showed higher than average levels, at about 106 fibers per square millimeter, Cabral said. But this area was completely destroyed.

Beyond their own health concerns, several residents were worried about asbestos fibers ruining their clothing and furniture. Acha said some items were salvageable and recommended they be professionally cleaned. If residents decide to take on the task themselves, he told them they should wear gloves and an asbestos blocking mask that can be purchased at any home and garden supply store. He added that because some types of asbestos can latch onto material, affected clothing should be discarded.