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Ricks College & EPA Settle Asbestos Case

Release Date: 3/7/2001
Contact Information: Ann Wawrukiewicz
Wawrukiewicz.ann@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-2589

February 7, 2001 - - - - - - - - - - - - 01-003


The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has settled an asbestos handling complaint against Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho for $18,500.

Originally the EPA sought $92,400 for improper handling and disposal of asbestos-containing ceiling tiles during renovation of the David O. McKay Library. However, under the EPA’s “Self-Disclosure Policy,” the agency lowered the penalty 75 percent because Ricks officials immediately notified the EPA of the problems after a consultant to the school discovered them.

The violations that occurred were:

• Failure to provide written notice to EPA ten (10) working days prior to commencement of the renovation
• Failure to adequately wet all regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM) exposed during renovation
• Failure to contain RACM in leak-tight wrapping after removal from a facility
• Failure to keep RACM wet until disposal
• Failure to ensure that at least one on-site supervisor trained in the asbestos regulations is present during asbestos removal

The school immediately corrected the problem after EPA inspectors confirmed the extent of the violations.

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