January 8th, 2008

A major utility company in California was found guilty this week of violating safe asbestos practices as well as giving false statements regarding the removal. The findings state that the company removed tons of asbestos improperly.

A utility company that was accused of improperly removing and disposing of asbestos on almost 10 acres of land in San Diego was found guilty this week of violating asbestos practices. The suit alleges that the company removed 40,000 feet worth of asbestos-insulated piping from a site without taking precautions to keep the public safe. The work was authorized by employees of the company to be completed by workers not licensed in asbestos removal. The company plans to appeal the decision, although the verdict was handed down from a federal jury.

Licensed professionals must perform asbestos removal in order to keep the public safe from exposure. Asbestos can break into airborne fibers and be inhaled into the lungs when it is mishandled or improperly removed. Asbestos fibers that get caught in the lungs can result in a form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers in the lungs keep the tissue from absorbing oxygen, slowly suffocating the victim.