Asbestos in Holyoke, MA

Renovation Contractor Fined by MassDEP for Asbestos Removal and Disposal Violations

Renovation and demolition contractors are required to follow a number of federal and state regulations when removing debris that contains asbestos.  When these regulations are not followed—as in this case involving a project in Holoyoke, MA—the failure to follow proper regulations placed all those working at the job site at risk for exposure to asbestos, a toxic mineral known to cause many serious diseases.

If your family is facing a loved one’s diagnosis with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis, our asbestos lawyers can provide vital information for your family about your legal rights and options.  Please complete the form on this page to request a free review of your potential case.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced they had assessed a $10,200 asbestos violation fine against a carpentry contractor relating to work the company performed at a Holyoke, MA renovation site.

The citation was issued in Fall 2010 after an almost one-year investigation.  In November 2009, MassDEP inspectors visited the job site, where they determined that a thermal insulation system containing asbestos materials had been removed without following the state’s regulations for the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

MassDEP regulations require that all those engaged in renovation or demolition projects where asbestos materials may be present follow specific regulations for notification, handling, packaging, storage and disposal of these materials.

Improper Asbestos Removal Causes Lifetime of Asbestos Disease Risks
Federal and state regulations regarding the proper removal and disposal of ACM were enacted to prevent the public—both those working at the job site and those who live or work in the area where a renovation or demolition project involving ACM is involved—from exposure to this dangerous carcinogen (cancer causing material).

Tragically, because of the decades-long asbestos latency period (the time between exposure to asbestos dusts and when symptoms of an asbestos disease are first noticed), those exposed to toxic asbestos dusts face a lifetime of risk to become ill with an asbestos-related disease.

This 30-40 or more year latency period is caused by the way asbestos affects the lungs.  On a microscopic level, asbestos fibers have sharp, jagged edges which cause them to attach deep in the lungs when they are inhaled.  The trapped asbestos fibers will begin to cause healthy lungs to scar, causing serious lung disease such as asbestosis, chronic emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or pleural plaques disease to develop.  In more serious cases, the damaged lungs will begin to product abnormal cells which eventually reproduce and cluster to form mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer tumors. 

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, our asbestos attorneys may be able to help you to seek justice for your illness and file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Please complete the form on this page for a free and confidential review of your potential asbestos lawsuit or request a free copy of our asbestos sourcebook.  A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.