LA Water Department Fined for Asbestos Violation

Recently in Los Angeles, the federal Environmental Protection Agency fined the city Department of Water and Power a total of $9,030 dollars for asbestos-related violations.

The fine was incurred after the EPA determined that the LA Department had demolished certain structures without notifying the EPA about the demolition. Such notification is required in accordance with the federal Clean Air Act, which is designed to regulate the risk of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is dangerous because exposure can cause a range of serious diseases, including asbestosis, a debilitating lung condition that reduces lung capacity. Exposure to asbestos can also cause the development of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Most cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed in a late stage of development as a result of the latency period associated with the disease.

Demolition activities carry particular risks because of the possibility of generating large quantities of airborne asbestos fibers. For this reason, asbestos must always be removed before any structure is demolished. Asbestos should only be handled by a licensed contractor who has the knowledge and skills needed to safely remove the material.

In addition to removing asbestos, the transportation of the substance also requires great experience. All asbestos-containing materials must be sealed in leak-proof containers, clearly labeled, and disposed of at a facility equipped to handle hazardous materials.

The EPA, along with the California Air Resources Board, determined in August of 2007 that the LA Department of Water and Power was responsible for the demolition of structures near Niland, California.

Deborah Jordan, director of the Air Division for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region, said of the incident, “When a building is demolished, asbestos must be properly removed in order to protect the health of workers and the community. We can avoid creating a public health threat from airborne asbestos by following the safeguards required by law.”

This entry was posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 3:23 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.