Alaska firm fined for damaging air quality

Due to spoiling state air quality, an Alaskan asbestos contractor has agreed to pay nearly $20,000 (£12,000) to resolve Clean Air Act violations.

Asbestos abatement and demolition contractor Coldfoot Environmental Services, which is a veteran-owned business specialising in asbestos, demolition and hazard waste in Anchorage, will pay a $5,100 penalty and perform a community service project to settle with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after alleged violations of the asbestos National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

Marcia Combes, director of EPA's Alaska Operations Office, said that those who tear down or renovate structures that contain asbestos should remember that it is important to notify EPA to enable them to conduct their inspections and ensure contractors are following regulations.

"We hope that asbestos demolition contractors like Coldfoot learn from this situation," she stated.

Coldfoot's failure to update its written notices was discovered after the EPA conducted inspections in August 2007 and April 2008.

Written by Lauren Steadman