Asbestos News Roundup: 6.24.10

June 24th, 2010. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of.

Asbestos Law

Ventura, CA: The owner of an apartment complex in Ventura, and the general contractor he hired to remove asbestos contaminated popcorn ceilings from several units in the complex, are facing a possible $10,000 fine for improper removal of the contaminated building debris. 

Ventura County Air Pollution Control District tested some of the materials being removed from the ceilings and found an elevated level of asbestos. Both Tony Biedul, the owner and Bill Bigler, the contractor who owns Quality Custom Painting, were issued numerous notices of violation, each carrying a fine of as much as $10K. The apartments were built in 1964. (VenturaTimes.com)  

Asbestos Hot Spots

San Francisco, CA: The San Francisco Gate reported this week that the Sierra Nevada trails in California are pockmarked with asbestos contaminated soil around the mouths of now defunct gold mines. The Sierra Nevada was made famous during the gold rush when thousands of mine shafts were dug and operated, and which now stand abandoned. However, the area is among California’s most popular recreation sites. (SFChronicle.com)

The asbestos dust—and asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in this area—was brought up to the surface by the miners, and settled into the soil. But the toxic fibers can be stirred up by bicycles, horses, hikers, and off-road recreational vehicles. In an interview with the SF Gate, Elizabeth Martin, chief executive for the non-profit Sierra Fund, said that as well as bringing hundreds of thousands of people to California, the gold rush “also brought mining machines that ripped down sides of mountains and tunneled thousands of feet into rock, leaving behind arsenic and lead. This is the longest neglected environmental problem in California.” 

Researchers for the agency recently conducted soil tests on 80 samples from 11 trails and recreation spots in the Foresthill, Downieville and Nevada City areas. They reportedly found extremely high levels of asbestos, along with arsenic and lead. The group says California’s 47,000 abandoned mines pose significant threats to public safety, particularly in the dry summer months when families flock to the foothills. (SFGate.com)

Guilderland, NY: Classes have been suspended and students sent home at Westmere Elementary School Thursday, following what is being reported as a “minor asbestos disturbance.” 

At about 8:30 am Wednesday morning, contractors working in the custodial area disturbed the asbestos. The area is now closed and will remain so until asbestos abatement has been completed. Test results are due back Thursday afternoon, and if the results are negative the school will reopen Friday. (CBS06 News)

Louisville, KY: Asbestos has been discovered in the office of now deceased George Unseld, a Metro Councilman for Louisville. Unseld collapsed in his office on June 11, and died later at the University of Louisville Hospital. The asbestos has been found in the mastic which is the glue under the carpet in his office. The asbestos was discovered when the carpet was being removed.

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma

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