34 Firms Cited for Safety Violations in Handling Asbestos : Environment: Two Van Nuys firms and one in Santa Clarita are among them. Officials say improper transport and storage may be widespread.

In a statewide crackdown on the asbestos transport industry, state health officials announced Tuesday that they have cited 34 California companies for violating laws that mandate safe handling of the cancer-causing substance.

The state Department of Toxic Substances Control is seeking fines totaling $400,000 from the companies, which handled 70%, or over 333,000 tons, of the asbestos that traveled in or through California between June, 1991, and July, 1993. Among the firms cited were two in Van Nuys and one in Santa Clarita.

State health officials say none of the violations posed an immediate danger to the public because they did not involve release of asbestos fibers. But they said findings of their investigation were alarming because improper transport and storage was widespread within the industry, which handles asbestos removed from houses and other buildings.

“Inhaling asbestos fibers is a clear danger to public health, and it’s imperative that companies engaged in the transport and treatment of asbestos waste do so properly and safely,” said William F. Soo Hoo, director of the state’s toxics department.

The violations were found during a computerized check of hazardous waste shipping records over the 25 months. The investigation was prompted in part by complaints by some asbestos companies that many of their competitors were violating state laws, said Ron Baker, a spokesman for the department.

Most of the alleged violations involve expired permits, inadequate records tracking the asbestos or improper storage. In many cases, the companies were storing asbestos for longer periods than allowed.

The state is seeking the largest fines, just over $25,000 apiece, from Certified Environmental Transport of Fontana and CST Environmental in Anaheim. The companies can contest the violations and seek lower fines.

Two Van Nuys firms--Controlled Environmental Solutions Inc., and Long & Co. Ltd.--face proposed penalties of $16,900 and $12,950, respectively. Both firms are asbestos removal contractors that also transport asbestos waste to disposal sites.

All three of the local firms were accused of storing asbestos waste beyond a state maximum of six days. Long & Co. was also cited for transporting asbestos waste without a required registration.

In addition, all three companies were cited for having manifests--or shipping records--that were improperly filled out or were missing information. Martin was cited for two faulty manifests, and Controlled Environmental and Long & Co. for 203 and 47, respectively.