Perryville, MO Demolition Company Facing Possible Fines Regarding Asbestos Inspection and Reporting at Demolition Site

Investigation of asbestos inspection and reporting at demolition site leads to possible fines for Perryville, MO company. Those exposed to asbestos are put at significant risk to develop serious illnesses such as mesothelioma cancer, asbestos-related lung cancer or asbestosis many years after first exposure.

In November 2009, the Missouri Air Conservation Commission and the Missouri Attorney General’s office reported they would be pursing legal action against the owner of a Perryville company hired by an area bank to complete the demolition of two abandoned homes.

Several days before the joint announcement, the Commission had ruled that the excavating and demolition company had allegedly committed a number of asbestos violations, including:

Failure to obtain an asbestos inspection;

Failure to provide notice of the demolition job; and

Failure to respond to the Commission’s attempts to settle the case.

The violations for the alleged wrongdoing are limited only to required asbestos reporting requirements. Any asbestos abatement conducted at the demolition site was conducted in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Asbestos Reporting Required for Demolition of Adjacent Residential Properties
According to the owner of the company, he was hired by the Bank of Missouri to complete the demolition of two Perryville area properties. He reported that some pre-demolition work had already taken place at the adjacent structures, as windows and doors had already been removed.

During the investigation, the company owner has continued to state that since pre-demolition work had been conducted before he had been hired to complete the project, that the responsibility for ensuring that the required certificates had been filed, as well as the payment of any fines incurred as the result of non-compliance, should be the responsibility of the bank.

More information about asbestos reporting requirements in Missouri can be obtained by clicking here.

Following Asbestos Regulations Can Prevent Exposure to Dangerous, Cancer-Causing Mineral
The state and federal asbestos reporting requirements were enacted to ensure that asbestos is contained during the renovation or demolition of both commercial and residential buildings and private homes.

Since asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are found in virtually every building constructed prior to the 1970s, it is vital that ACM is removed and disposed of in accordance with these regulations in order to prevent those performing the work, as well as those living or working in the area where asbestos abatement is being performed, from the risk of exposure.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they remain in the lungs. These fibers, which are invisible to the naked eye, have sharp edges that cause them to attach to lung tissue and prevent them from being expelled by coughing or sneezing.

The time between exposure to asbestos dust and when symptoms of asbestos disease are first noticed or diagnosed (known as the latency period) is many decades long. Therefore, a worker in their early 20s who inhales asbestos dust at a job site will not likely show symptoms of illness until they are in their 50s or 60s.

Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help Families Affected by Asbestos Disease
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.