Mesothelioma Medical

Three individuals and a business in Western Massachusetts has been fined $133,425 by the state Department of Environmental Protection for asbestos violations. These violations of state air quality regulations occurred in Chicopee, Wilbraham and Pittsfield, due to the mishandling of asbestos materials.

Eva V. Tor, a spokeswoman of the department said, "Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.We often have a number of asbestos cases at a given time, particularly with regard to renovation projects. Asbestos, when disturbed, can become airborne, and, because it is believed to cause cancer, poses a high health hazard."

Tor said that significant portions of the penalties were suspended through negotiations and cooperation in two cases.

Michael J. Gorski, the director of the department's western regional office in Springfield said that Mass DEP would continue to target demolition and asbestos removal activities to ensure compliance with important public health regulations.

One of the violations took place in the former Uniroyal complex on Grove Street, Chicopee where asbestos was not removed properly. A penalty of $41,00 was declared by the state however, suspended all but $1,500 of it in a consent order reached with Walter F. Mrozinski, president of Facemate Corp., the property owner who allowed workers to perform some salvage operations.

Tor said that the workers improperly removed asbestos-containing materials and equipment from a building. Mrozinski has not commented on the issue so far.

In the second incident, Alberto Martinez of 994 Sumner Ave., Springfield, was punished with a penalty of $38,625 in connection with broken asbestos materials found in a large disposal container on Old Boston Road, Wilbraham.

Kim Properties Holding LLC, whose resident agent is listed as Kyung Won Kim, of 94 Wheelmeadow Drive, Longmeadow was fined $15,000. He was charged for violation related to renovations at the US Taekwondo Center in Wilbraham.
 
Tor explained one more case in which a penalty of $38,800 was imposed against Christopher St. John, of 7 Cypress Lane, Pittsfield. He was charged for dumping of asbestos materials at a residential site on Madison Avenue, Pittsfield.