EPA Will Cover Georgia’s Asbestos Costs

Georgia’s state budget has had to make a great deal of cuts including funding for asbestos inspections, complaint resolution and enforcing asbestos regulations. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to carry out the Clean Air Act Asbestos Program in the state.

The EPA will help to process notifications for asbestos renovation, manage the asbestos removal process, issue asbestos contractors licenses as well as approve asbestos supervisor training courses. It will also be responsible for the inspection and enforcement of any asbestos abatement procedures, the disposal of asbestos, as well as demolition projects for commercial and public structures.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was popularly used in construction and shipyards for its high insulation qualities. In the 1970’s the government implemented regulations after discovering the dangerous effects of the carcinogen.

Asbestos exposure can lead to a number of illnesses including asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. Symptoms of the diseases can take 20 to 50 years to appear. Due to the long latency period, treatment is difficult and currently there is no known cure. Illness is caused when airborne asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the soft tissue of the lungs.

Improper removal of asbestos- containing products is one of the more common ways to release asbestos fibers into the air. If a violation is discovered by the EPA the law allows for fines to be as great as $37,500 per day per violation.