BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has penalized Yankee Environmental Services $35,625 for asbestos violations that occurred during an asbestos removal project on a structure located at 278 Babcock Street in Boston.
Yankee Environmental is a Massachusetts-licensed asbestos contractor with an office at 29 Esquire Road in Billerica.
On July 26, 2012, Yankee Environmental notified MassDEP of its plans to conduct asbestos removal on the interior and exterior of 278 Babcock Street. On September 9, 2012, Yankee Environmental reported that the asbestos work area containment had been breached due to high winds in the area. On September 10, 2012, MassDEP performed an inspection of the site and determined that workers had improperly removed and handled asbestos-containing materials.
MassDEP also determined that work conducted at the site was creating visible emissions to surrounding air due to improper operation of air-cleaning machines and breaches in the asbestos-containment area.
“The failure to fully implement proper asbestos removal procedures by this licensed asbestos abatement contractor presented an unacceptable risk to residents and workers,” said Eric Worrall, director of MassDEP’s Northeast Regional Office in Wilmington.
As a result of the violations observed by MassDEP, Yankee Environmental will pay $20,000 of the penalty and the remaining $15,625 will be suspended, provided Yankee complies with the asbestos regulations for the next year.
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.