US EPA Cites Vermont Companies for Asbestos Removal

A Vermont company was cited by the US EPA for failing to test for asbestos. The company had been demolishing a building and failed to first test for the presence of asbestos fiber. The companies involved could face a penalty of nearly $30,000 for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos.

"The federal Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (Asbestos NESHAP) require owners and operators of demolition and renovation operations to follow certain inspection and notification requirements prior to beginning such operations, and to abide by specific work practice and waste disposal requirements when the owners and operators identify the presence of regulated asbestos-containing material."

Ingestion and inhalation of asbestos fibers is a known cause of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

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For further reference on asbestsos exposure visit the Workers' Compensation Blog.