Brookfield, Wisconsin Man to Serve Prison Sentence for Dumping Asbestos, other Hazardous Wastes

Owner of Brookfield, Wisconsin asbestos removal company sentenced to 75 days in Washington County, WI jail for role in dumping hazardous waste. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause serious illnesses such as mesothelioma cancer, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis many years after exposure to the dangerous mineral.

In October 2009, the owner of a Brookfield, WI asbestos removal company was sentenced to serve 75 days in a Washington County, WI jail after being convicted of providing false and misleading information during a 2005 investigation of hazardous waste dumping on his property.

He was also ordered to serve three years of probation for violating state hazardous waste storage laws. During the period of his incarceration and probation, he is prohibited from handling or disposing of hazardous waste or hazardous materials.

In addition, he was ordered to pay a $30,000 fine for illegally storing hazardous waste and ordered to reimburse the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) $8,391.57 for the agency's costs related to the investigation.

The Investigation
In 2004, the man’s company was hired by the Milwaukee Water Works to dispose of several drums of waste chemicals. In October 2004, he transported eight drums of waste.

In October 2005, local sheriff deputies discovered that chemicals had been dumped into the ground on his property, and barrels containing the chemicals were found in a van located on the property.

During initial questioning, the man told law enforcement that he was a state-certified hazardous waste cleanup contractor and that he properly was disposing of fire-fighting foam. After a DNR environmental warden was contacted, it was determined that toxic waste been dumped.

Risk to the Community
When hazardous wastes are dumped into the ground, whether asbestos materials (ACM) or other toxic chemicals, they pose a long-term risk to those living or working in the area. Those toxins can not only contaminate the soil, but can leach into groundwater, causing asbestos and other toxins to contaminate area water. Should the toxin-contaminated soil be disturbed, asbestos can be released into the air, putting those exposed at risk to develop serious diseases many years later.

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