Illinois EPA Refers AMD Industries to Attorney General for Enforcement

SPRINGFIELD—Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott has asked the Illinois Attorney General's office to proceed with enforcement action against AMD Industries, Inc., for the improper removal, handling, and disposal of asbestos-containing material at its Cicero headquarters and at a disposal site in Chicago. 

AMD headquarters are at 4620 West 19^th Street, Cicero; the scrapyard is on South Paulina, Chicago. 

 

The asbestos was initially discovered during a join IEPA and Chicago Department of Environment inspection at the Paulina Street location. Officials at the scrapyard had reported to the Department of Environment that they had received some pipes from AMD that were apparently contaminated with asbestos. After discovering the asbestos, officials at the scrapyard had immediately arranged for removal of the asbestos by a licensed abatement company. After visiting the scrapyard, the IEPA inspector then went to AMD's headquarters where he determined that asbestos-containing pipe insulation had been improperly removed by employees.  Once informed of the results, AMD secured the impacted area and restricted employee access.

 

The IEPA alleges that AMD has caused, threatened or allowed the discharge or emission of asbestos fibers into the environment.  IEPA has requested that a licensed project designer submit a program to determine the scope of asbestos contamination and the methods and procedures to be utilized to remediate asbestos contamination resulting from improper removal and disposal activities. Once the Illinois EPA has accepted a program, a licensed asbestos abatement contractor will be hired to implement the program.

 

The IEPA will continue to provide technical and other support, as needed, to the Attorney General, as well as to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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