AGâ??s Office Files Lawsuit against Acushnet Resident Massachusetts – The office of the Attorney General said on Wednesday that it has recently filed a lawsuit against Ronald Oliveira, an Acushnet resident, for failing to remove shingles made with asbestos properly from the properties that were being renovated by him. For each of the violations committed, the suit filed against Oliveira is seeking approximately US$25000 per day. According to the office of the Attorney General, Oliveira violated the state Clean Air Act. The complaint says Oliveira did not follow essential safety precautions and adequate procedures while cleaning up asbestos material from 3 homes in New Bedford during the renovations between 2009 September and 2011 April. â??The spreading of debris containing asbestos in a housing neighborhood is a disgusting public health risk to workers and residents,â? said Mr. Kenneth Kimmell, the Commissioner of MA Department of Environmental Protectio n (DEP). The lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday in Suffolk County Superior Court, accuses that in 2009 September, contractors of Oliveira cleaned asbestos shingles using a high-powered pressure washer, blowing asbestos fibers into the air and ground. During a renovation on Weld Street in year 2011, Oliveiraâ??s contractors covered the shingles with vinyl siding and then drilled through them for installing heating vents, emitting fibers of asbestos into the surroundings, the suit states. A 3rd renovation carried out on Harmony St in 2011 March saw debris from asbestos shingles being dropped by contractors from the 3rd floor of the building down to the ground, the complaint filed by office of the Attorney General says. In addition, the complaint says that Oliveira and the contractors under him failed to properly remove the asbestos shingles before the renovation and to maintain enough wetness for preventing asbestos fibers to be released into the air. Furthermore, Olive ira allegedly failed to cover, seal or label containers with fragments of asbestos shingles at the time of renovation, the office of the Attorney General alleges. Asbestos is a notorious carcinogen and so a highly regulated substance as well. Federal and state regulations have to be strictly followed during any renovation project that involves asbestos. Violation of these regulations could result in fines and imprisonment. Proper removal of asbestos is mandatory prior to the renovation of any asbestos-containing buildings. Authorities should be informed about the work as well. Oliveira was not available for comment either through phone or via email.
