Roseburg, Oregon appeals fine for asbestos violation

Dec 11, 2008

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality fined the City of Roseburg $5,400 for allowing an unlicensed contractor to remove and dispose of asbestos-containing cement. The City has appealed that fine and continues to negotiate the penalty with the DEQ.

The fine arose from a project to install a new, smaller diameter storm pipeline between Calkins Road and Newton Creek. The problem arose when the installation compromised an adjacent sewer line made of asbestos cement. Because of the damage to the asbestos pipe, 175 feet of pipe were smashed up and hauled away. The asbestos-containing pipe was then used as fill at a local property site.

When the pipe was smashed, the damage may have allowed asbestos fibers to escape and become airborne, where they could be inhaled. And inhaling asbestos fibers has been proved to increase the risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The proper procedure would have been to seal the damaged pipe in leak-proof containers and dispose of it at an asbestos-certified disposal site. Not all landfills are qualified or prepared to deal with asbestos and other hazardous substances. Asbestos exposure also causes asbestosis and a number of other diseases.

Contractors involved in the project were also fined: Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority was fined $7,286 and C2S Group LLC was fined $10,800.

For the full story, go to The News-Review.

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