EPA Fines GSA, Construction Firms for Mishandling Asbestos during Renovation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has settled an enforcement action against the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and four private companies for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) during renovations conducted at a building in Boston. The parties will collectively pay a penalty of $100,000.

EPA alleges that the GSA, Goody Clancy and Associates, ATC Associates, Suffolk Construction Co. and Fleet Industrial Services violated federal CAA requirements for failing to properly remove, handle and dispose of asbestos during the building’s renovations in 2007. GSA is the owner/operator of the building, and the private companies were asbestos abatement contractors and architectural and construction contractors working with GSA during the time of the renovations and violations.

The violations were discovered during joint inspections by the EPA and the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety. Following the inspections, EPA issued an Immediate Compliance Order requiring GSA and the companies to quickly remedy their actions.

GSA and the companies expeditiously complied with the Order, and EPA states that it is not aware of any harm to human health and the environment caused by the alleged violations.