No representatives from W.R. Grace were present at last night's meeting and no one spoke in its defense.

"I question where W.R. Grace is, why they aren't here tonight," said North Cambridge resident Robert L. Phillips. "Grace isn't showing any concern whatsoever."

Residents in the neighborhood present at the city council meeting expressed concern that construction would release toxic particles of asbestos into the air, including into nearby playgrounds and Russell athletic field.

"I have received more e-mails about this issue than all of my years on the council," said City Councillor Katherine Triantafillou, who is sponsoring the ordinance.

Current state and federal laws tightly control any action involving asbestos in buildings and enclosed areas, but there are no laws dealing with asbestos in the soil and in open areas.

"If we don't get an ordinance passed we will have no protection from [asbestos particles] since there are no state or federal regulations," said Alewife Study Group member Lisa W. Birk.

Grace had previously offered to wet down the soil during construction in order to prevent excessive dust from entering the air. However, residents felt this promise was not enough.