U.S. Files 11 Complaints on Asbestos Use
Three states, two school organizations, a railroad and several other defendants in 10 cities were charged by the Justice Department on Thursday in 11 cases of alleged mishandling of asbestos, a cancer-causing material, in the renovation or demolition of buildings.
Asbestos fibers, when breathed, can cause lung cancer and other potentially fatal diseases, some of which do not show up for 20 to 40 years after exposure, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The defendants include the states of Florida, Washington and Idaho, school organizations in New Jersey and Iowa, the Consolidated Rail Corp., and other building owners and contractors.
Building Renovation
A California company was among those accused. The Witco Corp., was charged in Sacramento over a building renovation.
Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III said the 11 cases were developed jointly by the Justice Department and the EPA as part of an initiative to reduce asbestos pollution nationwide.
The Justice Department said it expects to file more cases in the months ahead.
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