DES MOINES, Iowa - State environmental regulators have charged the developer at a Des Moines landmark with asbestos violations that may have exposed thousands of people to the deadly fibers. Inspectors are currently investigating whether workers at the historic Equitable Building were negligently exposed to the deadly carcinogen.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources charged Bob Knapp with asbestos violations at the Equitable Building in September, sparking an investigation by the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Bureau. The DNR alleged that they found dry asbestos insulation throughout the building and evidence that asbestos had been disposed of improperly in the 19 story building that is being partially converted into luxury condominiums.

The work had been in progress for over 14 months before the DNR received an anonymous tip about the situation. During that time, thousands of people may have visited the building while work was in progress. Those thousands of people may have been exposed to cancer-causing asbestos fibers.

Asbestos, a deadly carcinogen, was used in construction for many purposes until about 1980, and the EPA estimates that there are over 750,000 buildings in the United States that contain asbestos in one form or another. As those buildings age and need repairs and renovations, the contained asbestos becomes a potential health hazard. Airborne asbestos fibers can be inhaled and cause serious health problems decades after exposure. The illnesses related to asbestos exposure include asbestosis, asbestos cancer, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is much more common among those who worked with and around asbestos.

Because of the serious hazards connected with asbestos exposure, contractors and others who work in older buildings are required by law to follow specific safety precautions when renovating areas that contain asbestos. The DNR alleges that Knapp and his firms failed to check for asbestos before beginning renovations on the upper floors. Knapp disputes the claims and believes that workers and building visitors were not exposed and are safe.

Knapp’s lawyer states that state officials have received documents showing that Knapp’s workers followed all appropriate safety rules.

Investigators allege that Knapp and his crews did not inspect for asbestos, allowed dry asbestos to accumulate around the building, ignored an evacuation order and did not file proof that asbestos was removed and disposed of by a certified asbestos contractor according to federal rules.

This is not Knapp’s first brush with asbestos disposal regulations. In 2000, the DNR cited Knapp for failing to inspect for asbestos before beginning renovations at another development project, the Suites of 800 Locust Hotel. No fines were assessed in that case.

Removing asbestos in a building like the Equitable Building can cost hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. The building currently houses a bookstore, a jeweler, a dental office, a law firm and an insurance firm.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 11th, 2008 at 5:46 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure, Iowa. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.