Press Release - Wednesday, November 08, 2006
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Illinois EPA seals Decatur property due to asbestos contamination and other public health hazards
SPRINGFIELD --- An unoccupied school building in Decatur, located at 1932 East Williams Street, was ordered sealed to the public on November 3, by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott.
On that day, the Illinois EPA attempted to inspect the building after receiving a complaint reporting the possible disturbance of dry, friable regulated asbestos-containing floor tile. At the site the inspector was told by the owner's representative that workers were inside the building sweeping up material, but that he would not allow the inspector to enter. One of the workers reported to the inspector that he was sweeping up crumbled floor tile and that the building was extremely dusty.
A company previously retained by the Illinois EPA to survey the site had concluded that asbestos was present. When it became apparent that this material was being disturbed, the Illinois EPA took the necessary steps to order the property sealed to prohibit public access.
According to information available to the Illinois EPA, the owner of the building is Affordable Property and Construction LLC. The building has apparently been unoccupied since approximately 1980, and asbestos-containing material has been allowed to deteriorate to the point where it presents a danger to human health and the environment.
The Illinois EPA is working with the Illinois Attorney General to ensure necessary access to the building.
"The owner of this property has a responsibility to obey the law and safely handle asbestos containing materials," said Director Scott. "The failure to do so and the failure to restrict access to the building have posed a threat to the health of the workers and anyone else in the vicinity."
The seal order is in effect until the Director of the Illinois EPA determines the contamination has been removed, or that steps are being taken to ensure the proper handling of asbestos containing material. The seal order prohibits entrance into the building without approval of the Illinois EPA and violating it is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor.
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