Owner and Manager of Springfield Rental Property Fined $18,000 for Asbestos Violations

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental (MassDEP) has levied an $18,000 fine against Belkis DeLeon of Methuen and Raphael DeLeon of Lawrence for violating state asbestos regulations. Rafael DeLeon is the owner and Belkis DeLeon is the manager of rental property at 25 Whittier St., Springfield.
    
Based on a complaint that illegal asbestos removal had occurred at the rental property, MassDEP conducted an inspection on January 30, 2007 and found that an asbestos-insulated boiler was replaced with a new boiler without instituting the appropriate asbestos handling and disposal procedures. MassDEP found extensive asbestos contamination within the stairwell and basement of the building, as well as outside of the building and in the city's wheeled trash containers.  

"The failure to adhere to the specific requirements regarding the management of asbestos may impact the public health and the environment," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield. "The asbestos regulations are very prescriptive in terms of proper removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials so that asbestos fibers do not become airborne."

At the MassDEP's directive, Ms. DeLeon promptly retained a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to clean up the property.

Property owners or contractors with questions about asbestos-containing materials, notification requirements, proper removal, handling, packaging, storage and disposal procedures, or the asbestos regulations are encouraged to contact the appropriate MassDEP regional office for assistance. More information on asbestos, including health effects, can be obtained from MassDEP's web site: http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/asbguid.htm

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