May 24th, 2005

A man from Wadsworth is facing charges of violating asbestos disposal regulations between November 2003 and February 2004. Michael Pace is to be charged with one count of the violation following investigations by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The bill of information relating to the charge states that Mr. Pace "directed other individuals to remove and dispose of more than 160 square feet of asbestos insulation from buildings that Pace owned and controlled at 2501 Ley Drive in Akron, Ohio, knowing that the method of removal violated federal asbestos abatement regulations."

There are very strict regulations and federal laws relating to the removal of asbestos. This is because asbestos is a substance that can cause a number of health problems, including cancer, when fibers and dust are released into the air and ingested or breathed in by others.

An investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Environmental Protection Agency has led to the charges.