Cleveland Man Facing Millions in Fines and Prison Time Over Asbestos Violations

Government entities may take environmental violations very seriously, as one businessman has learned. The businessman, Christopher Gattarello, faces fines in excess of $7 million dollars and 57 months in prison for demolishing a building he had purchased in Cleveland, thus releasing asbestos fibers in the air. Prior to commencing demolition projects in Miami and other parts of South Florida, people should secure proper permits and have the properties tested for contaminants such as asbestos. Companies that offer asbestos testing miami services can inspect factories, houses, apartment buildings, warehouses, office buildings and other structures for asbestos, and then offer customers pricing for the removal of this toxic building material, a well-documented carcinogen that kills thousands of people across the United States each year.

Failure to properly secure and remove asbestos from buildings prior to demolition or renovations can seriously endanger people’s health. Microscopic asbestos fibers, released when walls get knocked down or floors get torn up, can easily become airborne. If inhaled or ingested in sufficient amounts, these fibers can cause breathing problems, respiratory diseases and forms of cancer. Many older buildings in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Hollywood and other cities across the area contain asbestos, which builders commonly used when constructing buildings prior to the 1980s. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other diseases. Homeowners, developers and business owners can hire licensed asbestos abatement fort lauderdale companies to avoid penalties for failing to properly eliminate this harmful substance.

People should only hire licensed and insured asbestos abatement firms to perform this hazardous work. Professional asbestos remediation companies will generally secure permits and follow industry standards to safely remove asbestos from houses and other locations, taking precautions to avoid contaminating surrounding properties or other parts of the property. Licensed by the state, asbestos removal firms should take measures to protect their workers while removing asbestos from ceilings and other parts of structures.