Subjects:

Officials Accused Of Improper Asbestos Handling

Filed Under General Info

The officials of a fire district in St. Louis County are said to have improperly removed and disposed of asbestos. They also would not allow inspectors onto the property. The fire district renovated a building of about fifty-five hundred square feet and made have violated state and federal laws for asbestos abatement.

If the officials will not allow inspectors into the building, a search warrant may be issued. Now that inspectors have filed notice with the St. Louis County Health Department, the Department of Natural Resources is conducting their own investigation into the possible asbestos removal violations.

Apparently, the building was bought in November and a board meeting was held right away and was open to the public. A resident of the area attended the meeting and saw loose and broken tiles, which raised concerns of asbestos. The resident returned to another meeting and everything was clean up and the tiles gone. Upon looking in a trashcan, the tiles were pile to the top and had been removed.

The residents took samples to give to authorities. The county was ordered to stop all renovation work and have the building tested, which they have not done. Their refusal is a violation of laws governing asbestos removal and possible asbestos exposure.