DEQ fines Portland contractor $12,800 for asbestos violations
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $12,800 civil penalty to West Creek Construction LLC for conducting an asbestos abatement project without a license and openly accumulating demolition waste that contained asbestos during a residential renovation project in April 2017.
West Creek Construction mishandled asbestos-containing flooring and made non-friable siding friable by cutting and breaking it with a saw. Friable materials can be easily crumbled and potentially release asbestos fibers into the air.
Asbestos fibers cause lung cancer and other illnesses. There is no known safe level of exposure.
To protect public health, DEQ requires that only contractors who are specially trained and licensed perform asbestos abatement projects.
View the enforcement letter: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/021518portland.pdf
Contact:
Laura Gleim, Public Affairs Specialist, DEQ, 503-229-6488, gleim.laura@deq.state.or.us
