Oregon DEQ Citations for Asbestos Violations at Jefferson, OR, Renovation Site

After a Department of Environmental Quality investigation, a property owner and contractor were cited for asbestos abatement violations at a demolition project in Jefferson, Oregon. Those who live or work in the area where the improper asbestos removal was taking place face a lifetime of risk to develop serious diseases caused by exposure to the dangerous, cancer-causing mineral.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis, please complete the form on this page to obtain more information from our asbestos attorneys about your legal rights.

On March 2, 1010, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced they had issued fines and penalties totaling $3,800 against two asbestos abatement contractors for alleged federal and state DEQ violations. The fines were assessed after an investigation into a renovation and demolition project in Jefferson, Oregon.

The DEQ investigation began after a Vancouver, Washington-based management company hired an unlicensed contractor to remove asbestos at a property in Jefferson. The work, which was conducted in September 2009, involved the demolition of a single-wide mobile home. The roof on the structure was covered with asbestos-containing silver paint.

The DEQ investigation ultimately led to a $1,800 penalty being assessed against the management company for allowing someone other than a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to perform an asbestos abatement project.

The contractor was fined $2,000 for performing asbestos abatement without being licensed by the DEQ to perform the work and for hiring workers to perform the work that had not been properly trained or certified to handle asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

Environmental Health Risks
Since the asbestos removal work was performed improperly, all those who live or work in the area where work was performed were placed at risk for exposure to the dangerous, cancer-causing mineral.

When microscopic asbestos fibers become airborne, they can contaminate the air and put anyone inhaling asbestos-contaminated dusts at a lifelong risk to develop any number of serious illnesses. Tragically, countless medical and scientific studies have shown that even those with limited or even one-time exposure to asbestos can develop an asbestos disease many years after they were exposed.

When asbestos is inhaled, the sharp edges on the tiny asbestos fibers cause them to attach to lung tissue instead of being exhaled like other airborne irritants. Over a period of 30-40 or more years (known as “latency periods”) the asbestos will cause lung tissue to scar. If significant scarring occurs, chronic breathing diseases such as emphysema, pleural plaques disease or asbestosis will develop.

In more serious cases, the scarred lungs will begin to produce abnormal cells that can cause lung cancer or mesothelioma tumors to develop.

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we 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.