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NEW YORK MAN CONVICTED ON ASBESTOS CHARGES
Release Date: 10/07/99
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- United States Communications, Education,
Environmental Protection And Media Relations
Agency (1703)
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 1999
NEW YORK MAN CONVICTED ON ASBESTOS CHARGES
Steven Hunter of Cayuga, N.Y., was convicted on Oct. 1, in U.S. District Court in Syracuse on seven counts of violating the Clean Air Act by improperly removing asbestos. Hunter is the owner of Hunter Heating, Contracting and Plumbing. The jury found that while conducting asbestos abatement at the Masonic Temple in Auburn, N.Y., he failed to inspect the building for asbestos, failed to have a certified contractor perform the work, failed to properly wet and bag the asbestos, failed to properly label containers filled with asbestos, and failed to dispose of the asbestos at a landfill approved for that purpose. The improper removal of asbestos can lead to the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers which can cause lung cancer, a lung disease known as "asbestosis," and mesothelioma which is a cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities. When sentenced, Hunter faces a maximum of up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
R-122 ###
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