Before it became known that asbestos causes mesothelioma and other deadly illnesses, it was used in thousands of applications and products, particularly in construction materials. Though that use has stopped, legacy asbestos continues to pose a threat in homes, schools, and other buildings. Asbestos abatement companies remove the toxic material in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, but not all these companies operate as they’re supposed to. In Washington State, a family-run asbestos company has been fined almost $800,000 for knowingly exposing customers and workers to the carcinogenic material.
Company Accused of Risking Mesothelioma Through Poor Abatement Practices
Breathing in asbestos fibers has been directly connected to the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, and that’s why the abatement services promised by companies like Seattle Asbestos of Washington are so important, and why it is so disappointing when they don’t provide the service they’re supposed to.
According to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) in Washington State, the company has repeatedly violated the regulations for asbestos abatement in ways that put both their clients and their employees at risk. Among the examples cited are having used duct tape over a hole in a plastic barrier in a home, allowing asbestos particles to leak out, and failing to seal off appliances in homes where the asbestos abatement services were being performed. The agency also claims that a negative air machine that is supposed to clean asbestos particles out of the air was not working properly and that in another instance asbestos-containing wallboard was left uncovered in a family’s living room.
Workers and Clients Face Risk of Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos abatement companies specifically eliminate the risk of mesothelioma and other illnesses posed by legacy asbestos. For its part, Seattle Asbestos of Washington advertises on its social media pages that it specializes in the removal of popcorn ceilings, a decorative feature popular in the 1960s and 1970s that frequently incorporated asbestos.
Based on the citations prepared by the L&I agency, the company has violated the rules surrounding abatement procedures multiple times over the last few years, and as a result, the agency is pursuing revoking the company’s certification. Referring to the risk of asbestos-related disease, a public affairs manager for L&I said, “There is a significant risk that a worker could be injured or killed as a result of the violations.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after having been exposed to asbestos, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
