Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Kind of famous today......

Posted by: ! Aug 19 2004, 09:40 PM

These guys have been a real PITA for a number of years......they basically told told me to stick it in my ear......

I've had better cases...some with even jail sentences.....but this the first time anyone told ME to "Bite Me...."

So my agency sicced big brother on them.....oh and before you go crying....these guys tear down 100 year old bungalows and build 5 condos in the space and get a million a piece for them.....

Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 12:32 PM
To: usepar9news
Subject: U.S. EPA fines Santa Barbara construction company for asbestos
violations

Subject: U.S. EPA fines Santa Barbara construction company for asbestos
violations

For Immediate Release: August 19, 2004
Contact: Lisa Fasano (415) 947-4307
Press Office Main Line: (415) 947-8700

SAN FRANCISCO The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday fined
Blankenship Construction Inc. $5,000 for asbestos violations during
demolition work on structures located on Bath Street in Santa Barbara in
2001.

The company was fined failing to notify the Santa Barbara County Air
Pollution Control District prior to the work at 207-213 Bath Street in
November 2001 as required by federal law.

"Asbestos removal is hazardous work and must be done in a manner to
minimize any threat to workers or the public," said Deborah Jordan, the
EPA's air division director for the Pacific Southwest region.
"Notification must be made to the local air quality authority so
inspectors can ensure asbestos fibers are not released to the outside
air."

Federal asbestos national emission standards requires that notification
for demolitions be made to the local delegated air district 10 days
prior to the start of demolition. Following an investigation by the Air
Pollution Control District, inspectors determined the structures were
demolished without the required notification.

Asbestos fibers in the air are considered a hazardous air pollutant by
the EPA. The potentially devastating health effects of exposure to
asbestos demonstrate the need for professional handling of asbestos
during demolition or removal operations. Yesterday's fine is for
notification violations only. The EPA is unable to determine whether
asbestos fibers were released during the work.

The EPA has set basic work standards for asbestos removal and disposal
to protect the general public. To enforce these standards, inspectors
must know when renovations and demolitions occur. The lack of notice in
this case meant that inspectors could not conduct inspections of the
active demolition to determine the company's compliance with asbestos
regulations.

Asbestos has been used in building materials, paper products, plastics,
and other products. Exposure mainly occurs in indoor air where it may be
released from these materials. Effects on the lungs are a major health
concern from asbestos, as long-term exposure to asbestos in humans via
inhalation can result in a lung disease termed asbestosis or cancer.
# # #

Posted by: GWN7 Aug 19 2004, 09:46 PM

Only a 5k fine?

It probabaly would have cost them 50K to comply........

Posted by: ! Aug 19 2004, 09:51 PM

Like it says in the release....I was never able to find that there was any hazardous materials there....they pulled the places down and shipped the debris off before I heard about it.....empty freakin lot when I got there....

Past cases I have caught them (NOT these guys) using homeless people and dumping the stuff in dumpsters....those cases are 6-7 figure settlements. Catch them with their shorts down, it's easy......this weasel is a sneaky one.....now he really has to watch himself.

Posted by: rick 918-S Aug 19 2004, 10:00 PM

Cheap at twice the price. But great job mike. Nice to see that someone is working to keep these dudes in line.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Aug 20 2004, 02:21 AM

SWEET.. The smackdown..

B

Posted by: rhodyguy Aug 20 2004, 07:37 AM

did the company have to divulge the location of disposal? i would think sending the contaminated debris to a conventional landfill would result in escalating damages. it's interesting what items can contain asbestos. old floor tile is a BIG culprit, old ceiling tile, the old school popcorn ceilings, old pressed siding, not just the obvious pipe and boiler wrap. a few years back i couple i know decided to scrape the popcorn of the ceilings in a house they bought. BIG mistake. decon bill ran $15k plus the disposal fee to a site authorised to accept it. plus they and the 2 kids had to stay in a motel until the work was completed. pretty expensive home owner project. IF they decide to sell they have to list the issue on the disclosure form.

kevin

Posted by: ! Aug 20 2004, 07:56 AM

I know where it went, but it had been covered and mixed with other debris by the time we found it....

Posted by: GWN7 Aug 20 2004, 12:33 PM

You need to slap some GPS units on their trucks....then you would know where they are all the time.

Good job BTW