Oregon Couple Fined After Improper Asbestos Removal

A couple in Oregon is facing a $1,000 fine after they illegally removed asbestos from a commercial building they own in Albany, Oregon. According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Timothy and Kelli Fitzpatrick conducted an asbestos abatement project without properly licensed and qualified workers.

The Fitzpatrick’s illegally removed sheet vinyl that contained asbestos from their property. Workers did not properly package or label the asbestos waste from the project and some of the debris was even disposed of in an open dumpster. Improperly removing asbestos can lead to asbestos fibers becoming airborne, posing a threat to anyone in the area.

Airborne asbestos fibers, once inhaled, can lead to a number of illnesses including asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. Symptoms of these illnesses typically take between 20 and 50 years to appear, too late for any effective treatment. The Environmental Protection Agency states that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and any amount could potentially lead to illness.

Environmental laws in Oregon require that an asbestos abatement contractor must hold a license and follow strict regulations and procedures when conducting the abatement. Procedures usually involve proper equipment, wetting any asbestos containing material to prevent the spread of airborne fibers, and properly sealing and labeling all waste.

In order to file an appeal the Fitzpatrick’s must appeal or pay the fine within 20 days.