Asbestos Violations - DEP Penalizes $133,425
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
