Chicago health officials have issued an emergency order to close an Auburn Gresham grocery store over ‘asbestos-related hazards.’
According to that order, the owners of Dearborn Wholesale Grocers, located at 1841 West 79th Street, have been ordered to cease operations until they address those hazards to the satisfaction of health officials.
“Protecting residents from dangerous environmental and public health hazards is one of CDPH’s most important responsibilities,” said Dr. Olusimbo Ige, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, in a statement. “When conditions create a serious risk of exposure, we will act immediately to protect the public and ensure that no facility is allowed to reopen until the law has been fully followed and the hazard has been properly addressed.”
According to CDPH, inspectors had previously documented asbestos-related hazards at the store, and as the hazards were being addressed, members of the public and workers at the facility were present while those materials were being handled.
There was also an open dumpster with asbestos-containing material outside the store, according to a press release from CDPH.
CDPH is now recommending shoppers discard any goods purchased at the store between April 5-15.
Any grocery bags or boxes used to carry items should also be discarded, according to the alert.
