Construction company fined $1.5 million for Clean Air Act violations in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A construction company in Puerto Rico was sentenced last week to a fine of $1.5 million and three years of probation for violating the federal Clean Air Act.
AIREKO Construction Company failed to comply with the asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants during the illegal removal of asbestos containing materials from the Minillas North Tower in May 2012, according to court documents. As part of a plea agreement with the government, AIREKO was also ordered to pay $172,020 to cover a baseline medical examination and follow up medical examination for victims exposed to asbestos fibers in the aftermath of the illegal activity.
“The Clean Air Act requires that construction companies follow specific protocols designed to safely remove asbestos prior to any renovation or demolition activity, so as not to expose anyone to the risk of deadly respiratory diseases; and AIREKO Construction Company failed to do so by exposing those who worked at Minillas to asbestos materials,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, US Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The US Attorney’s Office will continue to work with all victims who were exposed to the asbestos.”
Over the weekend of Saturday, May 11, 2012, to Sunday, May 13, 2012, a sub-contractor of AIREKO removed asbestos containing material from the ceiling of the ninth floor of Minillas North Tower. The asbestos containing material was removed without following any of the asbestos work practice standards required by federal regulation.
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