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Los Angeles Department of Water and Power fined for federal asbestos violation
Release Date: 09/30/2008
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, (415) 947-4149, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov
Demolished structures without notifying the EPA
In August 2007, EPA and California Air Resources Board inspectors determined that structures owned by LADWP at 9596 US Highway 111 near Niland, Calif., were demolished by employees of LADWP. LADWP failed to notify EPA about the demolition before it occurred, as required under the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants regulations for asbestos.
“When a building is demolished, asbestos must be properly removed in order to protect the health of workers and the community,” said Deborah Jordan, director of the Air Division for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “We can avoid creating a public health threat from airborne asbestos by following the safeguards required by law.”
The EPA has classified asbestos, a known carcinogen, as a hazardous air pollutant. Individuals exposed to asbestos fibers are at risk of contracting illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
For more information on asbestos, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html
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