3 companies agree to
pay EPA asbestos citationsThe $24,966 in fines end a
pollution case involving Club Laimu
Victoria Ward Ltd., Island Demo Inc. and Coralco Corp. have agreed to pay fines of $24,966 for alleged asbestos removal violations at Club Laimu in Honolulu.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement of the September 2002 complaint Wednesday.
Island Demo and its subcontractor, Coralco, were hired by Victoria Ward to remove asbestos-containing ceiling material from Club Laimu.
In February 2000 a Hawaii Department of Health asbestos inspector found dry, asbestos-containing ceiling debris throughout the area that Coralco workers abated. The inspector also discovered that a nonaccredited Island Demo representative had designed a cleanup plan for the site.
The three companies have agreed to pay a total fine of $22,166 for violations of the EPA's Clean Air Act asbestos regulations. Island Demo has also agreed to pay $2,800 for an alleged violation of the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act, the EPA reported.
Asbestos is a known environmental carcinogen that the EPA has determined is a hazardous air pollutant. People exposed to asbestos fibers are at risk for illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
"Asbestos removal needs to be done properly to prevent exposure to the public," said Jack Broadbent, EPA Pacific Southwest air division director. "The EPA and the Hawaii Department of Health will continue to do inspections and enforce any asbestos removal violations to ensure that companies follow the rules."
