State of Idaho pays more than $100K in asbestos fines
The state of Idaho has paid $107,786 in asbestos fines over the past year after failing to safely dispose of asbestos in state-owned buildings. The fines covered two primary incidents in which buildings were destroyed without first checking for asbestos or providing any safety materials to workers responsible for the demolition.
In one instance, the Environmental Protection Agency found that at least 55% of the debris piles from the demolition were carcinogenic asbestos materials. Workers who were involved in the project may have been susceptible to asbestos exposure, which occurs when a person inhales the tiny fibers released by asbestos.
Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma cancer, a severe form of cancer that can take decades to develop, eventually attacking the lungs and walls of the abdominal cavity. Thousands of Americans are affected by mesothelioma every year, and countless mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers and companies who exposed their employees to asbestos.