Mesothelioma advocates and asbestos activists are constantly warning of the dangers of legacy asbestos, and recent events in California show that their concerns are justified. The District Attorney’s Office of Santa Clara County, along with sister offices in Monterey, Alameda, San Francisco, and Sonoma counties, recently took action against a senior living facility that failed to test for asbestos in its homes. The company has agreed to pay $1,125,000 in fines for its wrongdoing.
Mesothelioma Poses Threat to Residents and Construction Workers
Malignant mesothelioma is most frequently diagnosed in people who were exposed to it decades ago, when asbestos was in frequent use, but that doesn’t mean that it no longer poses a danger. Legacy asbestos can be hidden in buildings and equipment built and sold before 1980, when the mineral was found to be carcinogenic. Builders and demolition crews are expected to adhere to strict rules about the management of asbestos, but many choose to ignore regulations in the name of expediency or to avoid burdensome costs or delays, putting construction workers and others in the area at risk.
Despite knowing that exposure to asbestos poses a real risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, senior living facility developer Covia Communities (now known as Front Porch) performed extensive renovations at eight of its facilities between 2014 and 2022 without obtaining building permits or testing for asbestos. This was in violation of laws requiring building materials to be sampled and tested before starting work, even if a facility has previously been renovated.
District Attorney Cites Mesothelioma Risk
As a result of the investigation conducted by the district attorneys of the California counties, Front Porch will pay $700,000 in civil penalties as well as $162,500 in funding for college-level science courses to educate students about air pollution and air quality management. They will also reimburse the agencies $262,500 for the cost of the investigation.
Speaking of the outcome, District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen said, “These laws exist because asbestos exposure can be deadly. We will prosecute companies that cut corners and risk the health of senior citizens, workers, and other people in these buildings.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you need information on your next steps, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
