Attorney General of Massachusetts Sues Industrial Site Owner and Others for Alleged Asbestos Violations

Last month, the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts announced that the owner of an industrial site and former managers were facing a lawsuit over claims they conducted illegal asbestos work, demolished buildings and bridges without filing the proper notifications with the state, and illegally disposed of solid waste while redeveloping the site. An asbestos abatement contractor hired by the defendants is also alleged to have conducted asbestos violations.

The lawsuit claims violations of the state’s Clean Air Act, the Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Material Release Prevention and Response Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, along with corresponding regulations. The AG’s office alleges the defendants illegally demolished four large industrial buildings containing asbestos, partially demolished a fifth, demolished two bridges without notifying the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, failed to report and remediate asbestos-contaminated soil and debris, and illegally disposed of solid waste.

“If a building or structure is demolished without properly removing and abating any asbestos-containing materials, asbestos fibers will almost certainly be released into the environment as hazardous materials that could endanger workers and nearby residents,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Exposure to asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard that can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Disturbing asbestos is highly regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and many states also administer asbestos programs. Failure to comply with these requirements not only endangers people, it can also be exceptionally costly for companies and individuals.”

The only way to know for sure if a material contains asbestos is to have it tested. A leading provider of material, industrial hygiene and environmental testing for asbestos and many other regulated substances is EMSL Analytical, Inc. With a laboratory in Massachusetts, and dozens more across the United States and Canada, they provide testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, building inspection tools and personal protective equipment.

To learn more about asbestos or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . To access test kits for asbestos or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail