California Men Plead Guilty to Clean Air Act Violations

Asbestos testing services protect people, the environment and property from potentially deadly asbestos exposure.

Garden Grove, CA

Several men have pleaded guilty to charges of violating the federal Clean Air Act. The pleas resulted after developments at a 204 unit apartment complex in Winnetka, California. According to reports, the men knew that the building’s ceiling tiles contained asbestos. Despite this fact, they neglected to inform the renovation workers that had been hired to work on the building.

The Clean Air Act requires that when asbestos is involved that established work practices must be used to protect the workers, building occupants and the environment. The workers used were not informed, trained or certified to perform asbestos work.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Because of its fiber strength and heat resistant properties, asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials (roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos cement products), friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coatings. When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.”

The removal and disposal of asbestos is highly regulated and individuals and companies are subject to prosecution if asbestos regulations are not followed. During abatement or demolition projects asbestos can be easily aerosolized. Without the proper safety precautions deadly asbestos fibers can be inhaled.

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical and a leading provider of asbestos testing services, provides testing solutions to protect people and the environment from asbestos exposure. “The cleanup ended up costing $1.2 million once an inspector from the California South Coast Air Quality Management District discovered what was going on,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. “Not only are people who violate the law subject to fines and jail sentences, but people’s lives are at stake as asbestos exposure can lead to debilitating illnesses and even death.”

To learn more about asbestos or other environmental testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Ben Sublasky

National Director of Clients Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail