In February of 2009 the United States Naval Station – Newport, Goel Services, Inc., and A. A. Asbestos Abatement Co., Inc. violated the Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (Asbestos NESHAP) while performing a demolition at a Newport, RI Naval Base. Now, the EPA is fining them $14, 238.
According to an EPA News Release these parties had not handled asbestos in a safe way. They did not seal wet asbestos-containing products properly in leak-tight containers. In addition to this improper handling, the parties also neglected to inform the EPA that a demolition was planned before the work had begun. This is required under the Clean Air Act and the Asbestos NESHAP.
It is encouraging to see that the EPA is taking asbestos regulations seriously and following through on penalties. Hopefully soon those companies and other parties who actually handle the asbestos and asbestos-containing products will begin to comply with the standards in the first place.
Visit the EPA New Releases Page for more information.
Hard to believe we’re still dealing with asbestos in the twenty-first century. Good to see the EPA doing their jobs.