Hotel Owner Fined For Illegal Asbestos Removal

BBA Winchester, has settled a violations claim with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  and agreed to pay more than twenty thousand dollars in fines and penalties for failing to adhere to federal guidelines for properly removing and disposing of asbestos during the demolition of a hotel located in Winchester, Idaho.

Due to the company’s failure to segregate the asbestos from other waste materials accumulated during the demolition, the entire debris pile was contaminated. This large scale contamination not only endangered the health and lives of workers employed at the job site but also resulted in an negative environmental impact to people and animals living in the community. Documents show that the company failed to perform a required check for asbestos material prior to the demolition. In addition, the company, once the asbestos was identified during the demolition, did not inform the EPA or make any attempt to follow established regulations. As the demolitions site was in a residential area, several community groups expressed concerns about the waste debris contaminating the air and groundwater.

Asbestos is a toxic pollutant regulated by the EPA to ensure public and environmental safety. When inhaled without the protection of proper safety equipment, asbestos particles can be transported into a person’s lungs and result in chronic health conditions such as lung cancer and asbestosis, an often fatal lung disease. All building owners or contractors working on building are required by law to check for asbestos and then properly remove it according to a set protocol before demolition begins.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: When it comes to asbestos, it never pays to try to cut corners. Not only can failure to follow the regulations result in big fines and negative publicity, but it can also serious endanger your life and the lives of your employees!