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Philadelphia - An asbestos abatement contractor pleaded guilty on Monday to a criminal violation of the Clean Air Act by improper removal of asbestos from an elementary school. Branko Lazic, the owner of Bilaz Inc. admitted his failure to remove asbestos properly from the school
Brank Lazic was hired by the Mattison Elementary School in Ambler, Pa., in June 2002 for the removal of asbestos.
According to the statement of the Justice Department, Lazic left the school while the work was being done.
"Lazic left the school while the work was being done, although he knew his workers were unlikely to do the work properly," Justice lawyers said.
"Janitors and teachers were left to remove a white dust residue from floors and furniture before the next school year started," they added.
Asbestos is a natural material that is made of tiny threads, or fibers. The fibers can enter the lungs as a person breathes. The small, buoyant fibers are easily inhaled or swallowed, causing a number of serious diseases including: asbestosis, a chronic disease of the lungs that makes breathing more and more difficult; cancer; and mesothelioma, a cancer (specific to asbestos exposure) of the membranes that line the chest and abdomen.
Asbestos was a common building material from 1945 until 1975 and was used in wall and ceiling panels, insulation and lagging. Although hundreds of new schools have been built in recent years there are still significant numbers of older buildings which were constructed when the danger of asbestos was not fully known.
Lazic's sentencing date is yet to be set. He is facing up to five years in prison, compensation and a fine of $250,000.
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