More Arrests Due to Asbestos Violations: What will it Take?
In the last week, there have been a half dozen reports in the news of owners of construction companies being arrested or indicted on charges of violating federal law relating to asbestos removal during renovations. Across the nation, it appears that construction companies, and sometimes even those specifically hired and trained to perform asbestos abatement, are not following environmental, state and federal regulations when it comes to the safe handling, removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials. Such disregard can cause serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once heavily used in the past in many construction industries because of its fire resistant and heat insulating properties. It wasn’t until years later that it was discovered that exposure to asbestos cause serious illness, mesothelioma being the most debilitating and fatal. Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the protective lining surrounding the lungs, heart and abdomen. The only established cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
Once the dangers of asbestos became clear and irrefutable, federal legislation began requiring strict regulations on the use, handling, removal and disposal of any materials containing asbestos. Asbestos is almost always found in various industries, schools and buildings built before the mid 1980’s, and some appliances and cars. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, and certified personnel are required to perform all work that involves the handling of asbestos.
The Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other federal and state agencies have enacted laws regarding removing asbestos in order to protect worker and public safety. So why do so many companies not follow these regulations and put lives at risk? The bottom line is it costs more money to handle asbestos properly and also often requires a delay in progress on the project, which often has a deadline date to completion.
I believe most construction owners and builders are not acting out of ignorance but rather trying to avoid the costs that come with proper removal and delays. The penalties for violations can be steep fines and even time in prison, yet the profit gained by not obeying the laws far outweighs the fines imposed. It appears there are some owners of companies that are willing to not only take the risk of getting caught, but also lack the conscience to properly protect their workers from a disease that is painful and usually kills within a year of diagnosis.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact an asbestos attorney who specializes in handling only mesothelioma lawsuits. Mesothelioma lawyers will be able to connect you to the medical and financial resources more quickly due to their expertise in practicing only this type of law. If you have any questions or need support, please call 1-800-440-4262 to speak to someone who cares.
