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Demolition Company and Owner Sentenced for Asbestos Violations in Baltimore

Release Date: 10/22/1998
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

BALTIMORE - U.S. District Judge Andrea Davis sentenced Robert Isennock and Stop Construction Company, Inc., located at 4106 Norrisville Road, White Hall, Maryland, to 18 months probation and fined Stop Corp. $20,000 for knowingly removing asbestos in violation of the Clean Air Act.  Mr. Isennock was also sentenced to perform 300 hours of community service.  Both Mr. Isennock and Stop Corp. must also pay $400 to cover court costs.

Isennock and Stop Corp. had previously pled guilty to criminal violations of federal asbestos regulations at a demolition site at 1601 South Highland Avenue in Baltimore.  The violation arose from Isennock’s failure to comply with asbestos regulations during a 1996 demolition of a shed at the site.  The defendants failed to wet the asbestos-containing panels from the shed before demolition, and failed to have a supervisor trained in the asbestos regulations on hand during demolition activities.

Asbestos is a hazardous air pollutant once used in insulation and other building materials.  Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause cancer and asbestosis, a serious respiratory disease.

To reduce the risk of asbestos emissions, EPA’s regulations require that asbestos-containing materials that may release asbestos fibers during demolition or renovation must be adequately wetted during removal, and carefully handled to prevent unnecessary damage.  These materials must remain adequately wetted, or be securely bagged or otherwise treated to minimize asbestos emissions until disposal.  

The criminal investigation of this matter was conducted by EPA Region III’s Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Baltimore, with legal assistance provided by criminal enforcement counsel at EPA Region III.

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