Airborne Asbestos May Come from an Illegal Dump Not Far from You

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that can cause cancer after you inhale or swallow its microscopic fibers. This may happen whenever and wherever you encounter them. You may be exposed after asbestos is illegally dumped nearby, and the fibers float through the air, blown by the wind.

Satterley & Kelley, PLLC, represents those with asbestos-related illnesses. We file claims and lawsuits against the companies responsible for the harm you suffer to provide you with compensation.

Asbestos should be disposed of in specially regulated and equipped landfills that accept hazardous waste. It should also be properly packaged to reduce the risk of fibers being released.

Property owners who clean asbestos from their buildings or vehicles can illegally dispose of the material. They may not realize what they have is toxic, or they may know it’s dangerous but don’t care about the harm it may cause. Abatement contractors may tell customers the waste will be properly handled, but instead illegally dispose of it.

It could be thrown out by the roadside, where other material is illegally dumped, or mixed in with trash generated by households or businesses and disposed of in landfills.

Why is Asbestos Illegally Dumped?

There are many reasons why this may happen, including the following:

• Legitimate asbestos disposal is expensive. Strict regulations cover handling and disposing of asbestos and materials containing it. There are specialized disposal sites and procedures to ensure safety. Those illegally dumping asbestos shift the financial burden of exposure and legal disposal onto others
• Someone may be unaware of the requirements of legal asbestos disposal, or not know that the material they have contains asbestos
• Time is money. Some want to save both by not bringing asbestos to licensed landfills that may be a long distance from them
• Weak enforcement of environmental laws can lead people and businesses to believe they can get away with breaking the law. Unfortunately, most of the time, they’re correct
• Illegal dumping can happen after demolition work by contractors who cut corners and are not concerned about safety. Not only might asbestos be illegally disposed of, endangering the public, but workers’ health is also threatened if they’re not properly trained or equipped to handle asbestos safely

There are many reasons why companies cut corners and illegally dump asbestos. None of them justify the potential harm they could cause others.

Where Might Asbestos be Illegally Dumped?

The locations vary. One may be near where you live or work. Some of them include the following:

• Vacant or abandoned buildings that lack security. They may already contain a variety of toxic materials onsite, and asbestos adds to the mix
• Remote or secluded areas, such as woods, fields, forests, or rural land. They may be less likely to be visited by people or environmental authorities, so that illegal disposal might go undetected for a long time
• Landfills or sites where there is little or no regulation. Individuals may bribe workers to look the other way when toxic materials come through the gates, or they might leave the materials where they will not be noticed. Those running legitimate landfills may be lied to when they ask about material to be unloaded
• Vacant lots, undeveloped land, or public spaces in urban and suburban areas that are poorly maintained and may not be monitored for waste dumping
• Abandoned mines or quarries can be forgotten or left unused for long periods, making them more vulnerable to illegal activity
• Asbestos-containing material may be mixed with construction waste, so it may be difficult to tell the difference between the two when they end up where construction waste is legally disposed of
• On the side of the road or near garbage collection points. Others may illegally dump furniture, tires, or household waste, and asbestos-containing materials are added

If you’re near any of these locations, fibers released into the air threaten your health.

Call Us Today for A Free Consultation

Illegal asbestos disposal may be to blame if you have an asbestos-related disease, and you may be entitled to compensation.

To discuss your situation and how Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help, call our office in Louisville at 502-589-5600 or toll-free at 855-385-9532. You may also complete our contact form for a free initial consultation.