Lawsuit Alleges Property Management Company Tried to Covered Up Asbestos Hazards

Recently, Oregon’s KOIN broadcast a report about a $40 million lawsuit that has been filed against a Portland property management company. According to their reporting, a renovation project at a 291 unit complex uncovered asbestos in the walls back in May of this year. The lawsuit alleges the property management company was made aware of the situation, but did not take the necessary steps required by law which put workers and residents at risk.  
 
In the United States, there are six asbestos and asbestiform minerals that government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), recognize and regulate. These include chrysotile, actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite and tremolite.
 
These minerals were used for decades in thousands of products and building materials. In fact, a partial list of just a few of these building products is provide by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The list includes: Cement Pipes, Cement Wallboard, Cement Siding, Asphalt Floor Tile, Vinyl Floor Tile, Vinyl Sheet Flooring, Flooring Backing, Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.), Acoustical Plaster, Decorative Plaster, Textured Paints/Coatings, Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels, Spray-Applied Insulation, Blown-in Insulation, Fireproofing Materials, Taping Compounds (thermal), Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations), High Temperature Gaskets, Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops, Laboratory Gloves, Fire Blankets, Fire Curtains, Elevator Equipment Panels, Elevator Brake Shoes, HVAC Duct Insulation, Boiler Insulation, Breaching Insulation, Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections, Cooling Towers, Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.), Heating and Electrical Ducts, Electrical Panel Partitions, Electrical Cloth, Electric Wiring Insulation, Chalkboards, Roofing Shingles, Roofing Felt, Roll Roofing, Roof Patching Cement, Base Flashing, Thermal Paper Products, Fire Doors, Caulking/Putties, Adhesives, Wallboard, Joint Compounds, Vinyl Wall Coverings and Spackling Compounds.
 
“There are regulations in multi-housing units, schools, businesses and many other types of buildings to protect workers and the public from needless exposure to asbestos fibers during demolition, remodeling and renovation projects,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “This is of vital importance as inhalation exposure to these fibers has been shown to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.”
 
On the frontlines helping to protect families, employees and employers from the hazards associated with asbestos exposure are the industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) experts at CSC. Their professionals provide asbestos testing and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks while helping companies adhere to asbestos regulations to avoid costly noncompliance penalties.
 
To learn more about asbestos or other environmental, health, occupational, indoor air quality, and safety testing and consulting issues, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address IAQ, environmental, health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail