In early December, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality levied a $15,000 fine against the two contracting businesses that performed unsafe asbestos removal and abatement projects at the Sun Country Mobile Home Park in Bend, a community of about 81,000 in central Oregon.
Asbestos Containing Paint on Mobile Home Roofs
In April 2008, the owner of Sun Country had an asbestos survey done on the property, and the conclusion was that at least three mobile homes had roofs coated with asbestos containing paint. According to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), a licensed asbestos abatement contractor would be required for the removal of the roofs.
Unlicensed Personnel, No Precautions with Asbestos
However, contracting companies Hoviss Build Group LLC and Willamette Builders Group LLC — neither of which has licensed asbestos abatement personnel — soon demolished the mobile homes’ roofs, and they did so without taking any precautions such as wetting down the roof to contain the asbestos dust or chips of paints that contained asbestos.
Asbestos Dust in the Air at the Park
The DEQ’s complaint noted that the asbestos paint on the roofs was thus made friable and likely to be released into the air. In addition, the contractors allowed some of the removed roof material to remain exposed on the property, and they failed to dispose of all of the asbestos materials in a DEQ-authorized site.
Asbestos Exposure, Harmful Side Effects
Individuals exposed to the asbestos dust, caused by the unsafe abatement project are at risk of developing a life-threatening condition including:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- asbestosis
The DEQ also issued a $16, 650 penalty to the owners of the mobile home park (Central Oregon Investors LLC), for allowing non-licensed workers to do the asbestos abatement project. Both the owners and the two contracting companies have appealed their fines.
(Source: KOHD News)
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