U.S. Naval Station and Two Rhode Island Contractors Fined for Asbestos Violations at Newport Naval Base

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had issued fines against the Newport, RI Naval Base and two Rhode Island area contractors for violations of asbestos removal regulations.

When asbestos materials are improperly removed, those who live or work in the area are placed at considerable risk for exposure to the dangerous substance, which is known to cause mesothelioma cancer, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.

On January 13, 2010, the EPA announced that the Agency had cited the U.S. Naval Station in Newport, RI and two demolition contracting companies for alleged violations of regulations governing the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

The regulations, which are set forth in the Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (“Asbestos NESHAP”) must be followed for all renovation and demolition projects where ACM is present.

Navy Base Demolition Project
In February 2009, the Naval Station and the two contacting companies were conducting a demolition project on the Navy Base.  The EPA alleges the Navy Base and the contractors failed to properly seal ACM waste materials in leak-tight containers while the materials were wet. The Newport Navy Base and the contractors had been previously cited for failing to provide the EPA with mandatory written notices prior to the start of the demolition project.

The Navy Base and the contracting companies agreed to settle their case with the EPA, and will pay a $14,238 penalty and certify they are in compliance with Asbestos NESHAP regulations.

Improper Asbestos Removal Puts Workers, Navy Base Personnel at Risk for Serious Illness
Asbestos has long been classified as a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). When asbestos is disturbed during a renovation, abatement or demolition project, the NESHAP and Clean Air Act regulations must be followed to prevent dangerous asbestos dusts from being released into the air, soil or water.

When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled, they are not expelled from the lungs by coughing or sneezing. Instead, the fibers remain in the lungs for decades, where the effects can lead to the development of serious asbestos diseases (such as asbestosis, pleural plaques disease or COPD). In more serious cases, the long-term effects of asbestos scarring in the lungs can trigger abnormal lung cells to develop, which leads to lung cancer or mesothelioma tumors to grow.

Tragically, even short term or minimal exposure to asbestos can have the same dangerous impact on the health of those exposed. Since the time between exposure to asbestos and when symptoms of an asbestos disease are first discovered (known as asbestos latency periods) is 30-40 or more years long, those who may have inhaled asbestos fibers at the Newport Naval Station as young adults may not develop symptoms of illness until they are at retirement age.

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