Mr. Banks' employee, Michael Burrell, was a co-defendant in this case and will be sentenced on May 9, 1996. Asbestos laws are in place to ensure public health and safety and EPA is committed to enforcing them. The initial investigation stemmed from allegations that Banks, in an effort to sell his building, had obtained estimates from professional contractors to remove asbestos identified by potential purchasers. Burrell, in turn, hired several friends, including his fiancee to help him. After removing the material, Burrell disposed of it in dumpsters and in an abandoned home in West Philadelphia.
Asbestos is a hazardous air pollutant which was once heavily used in building materials.
Prolonged exposure and inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause cancer and asbestosis, a disease which can lead to breathing difficulty and even death. Clean Air Act regulations require that specific work practices are followed during demolitions and renovations of commercial buildings. To ensure safe handling and disposal of asbestos, the regulations require that asbestos material be adequately wetted during stripping operations and properly contained and labeled for disposal.