AQMD Urges Criminal Charges Over Asbestos

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has recommended that criminal charges be filed against the city of Lawndale for improperly handling asbestos in the demolition of three city-owned buildings.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has begun an investigation of the incident after receiving the request from the air quality district two weeks ago, said David Guthman, head of the environmental crimes division.

It is still too early to say whether enough evidence exists to file criminal or civil charges or what the penalties could be, he said.

The AQMD recommended the criminal charges against Lawndale for the city’s failure to comply with district requirements for the safe disposal of asbestos when it razed the houses in the old city yard in June, AQMD spokesman David Rutherford said. Samples of siding taken from the demolished houses at 167th Street and Osage Avenue were found by AQMD chemists to have a 37% asbestos content, he said.

Rutherford said that if the district attorney decides--for whatever reason--not to file charges, the AQMD will consider filing civil charges against Lawndale, which could include penalties ranging up to $25,000 a day for each day that a violation existed.

In July, the AQMD cited the city for improperly handling asbestos material in connection with the demolition of the three buildings. The one-page notice cited several violations, including failure to comply with federal requirements for the containment and removal of asbestos material, and failure to provide AQMD officials with 10-day notice of the demolition.

Asbestos is a carcinogen and is considered particularly insidious because symptoms of cancer and other lung ailments may not show up for years after exposure.

In a recent interview, Lawndale City Manager Jim Arnold said he had not been notified of the AQMD recommendation and declined to comment.

The three city-owned buildings were originally used to store surplus, including old tractor tires, Christmas decorations and inoperable city vehicles.

When Lawndale opened a new city yard on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, the houses fell into disrepair and attracted vandals, residents said.