An Illinois businessman was recently indicted for violations of the Clean Air Act for dumping 127 plastic bags of asbestos. This hazardous material was dumped in a small town in unlabeled and unsealed plastic bags. Because of the method of disposal, the asbestos had already found its way into the town’s soil.

Asbestos is a dangerous material, made of very thin fibers that can, if inhaled, cause lung diseases ranging from asbestosis (a lung disease similar to black lung that affects coal miners) to lung cancer. Asbestos is an excellent insulator, which led to its use in many buildings constructed before the 1970s. When these buildings are demolished or renovated, the asbestos must be disposed of properly to prevent exposure of this dangerous material to workers or nearby residents.

Generally, contractors must hire an asbestos abatement company. These companies use proper techniques such as safety clothing for their staff, warnings for neighbors and safe disposal methods. However, these companies cost much more money than the inexperienced fire protection company that Michael Pinski hired to rid his building of asbestos.

Among the violations were a failure to inform the EPA before the removal, a failure to insure that the asbestos was properly wetted before removal (helping to prevent the asbestos from becoming airborne), failure to label the vehicles that transported the asbestos, and finally, a failure to dispose of the hazardous material in an appropriate site.

As can be expected, the residents of Hopkins Park, IL, where the asbestos was dumped, are worried. If the particles of asbestos become airborne, which is likely as the bags were not properly sealed, anyone who inhaled the particles are at risk for serious lung diseases. These diseases can lead to death but may not become evident for many years.

The company that performed this asbestos removal, as well as the businessman face, serious fines and up to 5 years in jail for each of the 5 charges. In addition, all the parties involved risk civil lawsuits brought by residents of the town where the asbestos was illegally dumped, as this action put people's lives at risk.