Gresham, OR (7/11/2016) – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Red Bull Development, LLC $25,709 for performing an asbestos abatement project without a license and for disposing of asbestos-containing waste material at an unauthorized location. These asbestos violations occurred during a renovation project at a commercial office building at 121 NW First Street in Gresham.

DEQ also cited the company, without penalty, for failing to perform an asbestos survey before starting a renovation project and failing to submit to DEQ an asbestos abatement project notification.

DEQ issued this penalty because the violations could have released asbestos fibers into the air and exposed workers and the public to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are a respiratory hazard proven to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos is a danger to public health and a hazardous air contaminant for which there is no known safe level of exposure.

DEQ requires that an accredited inspector perform an asbestos survey before beginning a renovation project at a commercial building in order to identify potentially harmful asbestos­ containing material before it is disturbed. To protect the public from asbestos exposure, DEQ requires training and licensing for those who handle asbestos-containing material. In addition, DEQ requires generators of asbestos containing waste material to properly dispose of these materials at authorized locations. The failure to obtain the proper licensing and the failure to properly dispose of asbestos­ containing waste material presents a significant risk to public health and the environment.

Red Bull Development has until July 25 to appeal the penalty.

View the enforcement letter: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/071116redbull.pdf

Contact: Kieran O’Donnell, Environmental Law Specialist, Portland, 503-229-5012 Odonnell.kieran@deq.state.or.us; Zebuliah Bates, Asbestos Program, Portland, 503-229-5364, bates.zabuliah@deq.state.or.us