Contractors to pay fine in MCAS Yuma asbestos case

The state of Arizona announced Friday that three contractors have agreed to pay a $100,000 penalty stemming from violations that occurred during housing renovations at MCAS Yuma.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the Arizona Attorney General's Office announced Friday that Hunt Building Comp Ltd, Camp Pendleton and Quantico Housing LLC and Flores-Sierra contractors Inc. have agreed to pay a $100,000 penalty under consent judgment for asbestos air quality violations during housing renovations at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in 2006.

According to a news release from the state, the defendants agreed to reimburse any uninsured costs of medical screening for asbestos exposure for residents living in 24 base housing units within the Capehart military family housing neighborhood in January and February 2006.

According to a previous article by the Yuma Sun, military officials said the amount of asbestos was “so small and stopped so early that there is no reason to believe that actual harm was caused.”

According to the article, concerned residents living in the vicinity of 1170 Goodsell Ave. informed the command that they feared the construction debris might contain asbestos.

“A problem arose when a subcontractor crushed the construction debris, making the asbestos material powdery and in breathable form,” according to a previous spokesman for the base. “Once the problem was identified, (MCAS) environmental was immediately notified and the asbestos manager responded to the incident and stopped the crushing.”

"Marine Corps Air Station Yuma officials expressed their concerns for the health of their residents and the environment to the contractors in February 2006 and asked the contractor to change their practices," said GySgt. Bill Lisbon, with MCAS Yuma Public Affairs.  "When the contractors failed to cooperate, air station officials asked for assistance from ADEQ."

“Proper inspection and safe handling of asbestos from the start keeps people out of harm's way and companies in compliance with the law,” said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. “The good news is that after ADEQ's efforts, the companies came into compliance and complete the project.”

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said strict compliance with asbestos identification, notification and handling requirements is necessary to ensure safe handling and disposal of carcinogenic materials.

“Arizona's asbestos handling rules protect our communities, workforce and public health,” he said. “Violations will not be tolerated.”

The consent judgement is subject to court approval.

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.