May 5th, 2006

It has been reported by officials that the Oregon State Hospital could be facing hefty fines and penalties for violation of asbestos regulations, after asbestos was found at the hospital. Officials went on to add that a contractor could also face action as a result of the asbestos violations.

A contractor dug out an asbestos insulated pipe at the hospital in January, and the following day a state asbestos inspector, Dottie Boyd, found a pile of asbestos debris in the area. The inspector concluded, after seeing the debris, that asbestos regulations had been violated by the hospital and contractor.

Airborne asbestos fibers are known to be very dangerous and even deadly, and the inspector was concerned that a part of the problem associated with dumping the asbestos debris is that it could have caused fibers of the asbestos insulation to become airborne.

Following the inspection it was confirmed that hospital officials took the necessary actions to clear the asbestos debris, but in terms of violating the regulations and laws with regards to disposal of asbestos may still face penalties.