May 18th, 2007

A firm from El Centro, California, has been fined for asbestos violations. The firm, CT El Centro, LLC, was found to have carried out a demolition without first notifying the Environmental Protection Agency as required by the Federal Clean Air Act. As a result of this failure of notification the company has been fined thousands of dollars. The company has agreed to pay just over nine thousand dollars for the violation of the Clean Air Act. Both the firm and its contractor failed to notify authorities about the demolition, as required by the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. An Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson stated: “When a building is demolished, asbestos must be properly removed in order to protect the health of the public and immediate community. Appropriate regulatory agencies must be notified in advance so they can ensure that the required safeguards are in place.” Asbestos is a known carcinogenic, and exposure to airborne dust and fibers can result in various health problems including respiratory problems, scarring of the lungs, and a form of cancer known as mesothelioma.