The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has penalized two Boston companies a total of $64,200 for asbestos removal and disposal violations at a South Boston site.
MassDEP assessed Trinity Green Development LLC, Milton, a $32,100 fine as a result of numerous asbestos removal and disposal violations found during an inspection at a former elementary school building that was being redeveloped into residential units in 2008.
MassDEP also issued a $32,100 penalty to Cleanouts Inc., the solid waste management firm that MassDEP states was responsible for the asbestos violations at the project. Cleanouts Inc., based in South Boston, was issued a unilateral penalty after repeated attempts to negotiate a consent order with the company failed.
As a result of a complaint, MassDEP inspected the property in early 2008 and found an improper demolition operation had commenced with dry, loose asbestos-containing debris scattered throughout the site. The required notification to MassDEP had not been submitted for this asbestos removal, the work area had not been sealed and the asbestos-containing material was improperly disposed.
"Asbestos needs to be removed and disposed properly, not haphazardly, because rip-skip-dump tactics like this can cause fibers to become airborne and present a clear health hazard if inhaled," says Richard Chalpin, director of MassDEP's Northeast Regional Office.
Trinity has agreed to pay $15,000 of the penalty and MassDEP has agreed to suspend the remaining $17,100 provided there are no additional violations for a period of one year.