Stanley Xu, owner and CEO of a Washington based real estate firm, Longwell Company, has been cited and fined for violating asbestos regulations by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The latest violation involves the removal of asbestos containing ceiling material from an apartment complex in Renton and Kent, Washington, near Seattle. The company owns multiple apartment complexes throughout King County and surrounding areas, and has been cited for asbestos violations in the past.
Despite this, Xu claims that he was unaware that he was required to have inspections performed and asbestos tests on the ceiling materials completed prior to any demolition and removal. This seems hard to believe since Xu was cited for failure to inspect and test at other property locations within the last year and a half.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen that causes mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. It is common knowledge now that buildings constructed before the 1980’s are highly likely to contain asbestos materials (ACMs). This is especially true of “popcorn” ceiling, which is what was being removed from the Avante Apartments in Kent and from the Arbors at Sunset apartments in Renton.
Xu is accused of improper removal and disposal of ceiling materials that contained dangerous levels of asbestos. Violations include:
Lack of prior inspection and testing for ACMsImproper removal and disposal of ACMsFailure to hire an accredited asbestos abatement company to remove ACMsFailure to provide training and protective gear to employees removing ACMsXu is appealing the citation, and has refused comment on the former violations. Xu is not unfamiliar with being cited for environmental regulation violations as they date as far back as 2006, when he failed to notify tenants of the presence and hazards of lead based paint in one of his other apartment complexes in Des Moines and Renton.
Xu faces fines of over $165,000 and is one of many companies that are being charged with failing to follow federal and state asbestos safety regulations. Perhaps such actions will encourage other contractors in the Seattle area to become knowledgeable and to follow all procedures that will prevent any unwanted exposure to asbestos and keep workers and the public safe.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 at 8:39 pm and is filed under Asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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