New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has made a statement saying that it has implemented new protocols to make sure that all of their licensed asbestos inspectors are better monitored. DEP says it will now have all its filing systems computerize and will collaborate with federal, state, and city agencies. According to DEP, the new Internet based filing system will not accept asbestos reports from asbestos testing and inspection services whose license has been suspended or taken away. DEP has over 500 asbestos inspectors who will now be audited and spot-checked to ensure asbestos testing and inspection regulations are enforced.
Some mesothelioma lawyers felt that due to the cost and difficulty of safe asbestos handling may have companies trying to take shortcuts thus making it unsafe for many. This could lead to devastating effects due to the dangers of asbestos; because if asbestos is improperly handled and the dust particles are airborne and inhaled into the lungs, it could cause serious internal damages. That is why proper inspections and testing are critical.
Saverio F. Todaro ran an environmental inspection and testing business, admitted in federal court earlier this year that he had faked nearly hundreds of reports that show city buildings were asbestos free. Todaro admitted that he never actually did the recommended asbestos testing and inspections, but he had submitted documents with fake signatures claiming that the buildings were tested and free of asbestos. According to Todaro, he has been forging documents for over ten years. Over the ten year period, many of the structures that were supposedly tested and inspected for asbestos have been, remodeled, repaired or demolished. So, it is difficult to say how much harm has been caused by Todaro’s actions.
According to reports, DEP was responsible for issuing Todaro his asbestos license. However, the environmental agency suspended Todaro’s asbestos inspection license back in 2004, due to improper record handling and poor structure surveying. But due to improper monitoring of licenses, he was able to get away with providing asbestos inspections and testing for businesses and developers who were then given the green light to go ahead with renovations after obtaining permits from the city’s Building Department. Todaro was later found guilty of fraud and several environmental crimes, and was sentenced to five years in prison for his actions.
Asbestos is a building material that causes various cancers, such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is always often caused by asbestos exposure. Te cancer takes over many of the body’s internal organs and usually take years to develop emerge. Once mesothelioma is detected the life expectancy is around 5 to 18 months. Currently there is no cure for mesothelioma, however new treatments and therapies are available. If mesothelioma is detected during the early stages and aggressive treatment is given, the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients can increase.
Do you know someone who may have been exposed to asbestos and has developed mesothelioma? If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer that can be connected to asbestos exposure caused by a product or neglectful ex-employer, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact an experienced asbestos lawyer to learn about your options and to see if filing a mesothelioma lawsuit will be in your best interest.
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