Able Contractors, Inc. Fined After Improper Asbestos Abatement in Oregon

Able Contractors, Inc. was recently fined over $17,000 for a number of violations that occurred during an asbestos removal project in Yamhill, Oregon. The company now faces monetary penalties from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) after the improper asbestos abatement procedure.

The company, based in Brush Prairie, Washington specializes in asbestos abatement and demolition. The fines come from a project completed in 2007 where the company was removing 315 square feet of asbestos contaminated sheet vinyl from a home. The company was fined $11,732 by the DEQ for improperly sealing off the area during the asbestos abatement.

Two additional violations cam from failing to conduct a final air sample test and for also not stating the process used during the asbestos abatement for fines of $5,206 and $650 respectively. In total the company will pay $17,588 in fines.

Asbestos was popularly used in homes and buildings until the mid to late 1970’s. It was then made public that the naturally occurring mineral could lead to a number of negative health effects. It is not until the asbestos fibers become airborne that the carcinogen poses a health threat to those in the area.

These fibers, once inhaled, have a long latency period of 20 to 50 years before a diagnosis of asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma can be made. Mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer, can infect the lining of the lungs or other areas such as the abdomen. Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma but new treatments continue to be developed.

Able Contractors, Inc. has been licensed in asbestos abatement for the past ten years. The company has until May 13th to file an appeal on the fines. If no appeal is filed, the fines must be paid in full.