The Philadelphia Daily News reported on a disturbing practice of workers in the local housing authority maintenance staff.  Workers allege they were instructed to use unsafe asbestos handling practices while making repairs for the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

Two workers claim they have disposed of asbestos into unit walls and the PHA dumpsters.  One of the carpenters took photos and samples of the debris to support his allegations.  He reports becoming concerned when he learned workers have been encouraged to “get the job done” despite possible asbestos exposure while completing repairs in the Housing Authority complex.  Robert Smith contacted the Daily News last month to express his concerns.  He states he made PHA managers, union leaders and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aware of the practices and his concerns were not addressed.  Both workers are fearful of the long term consequences of asbestos exposure and losing their livelihood.

Asbestos removal and abatement can only be performed by trained and licensed contractors per local and state laws.  Unsafe handling can put workers, their families and the tenants at risk of future health issues.  Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses, but most asbestos related health issues have a latency period of 10-40 years.

PHA executives have denied the allegations and insist that workers follow asbestos laws.  They sent in a project manager who completed a visual inspection and then claimed the units to be safe.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the city Health Department decided to further investigate the carpenter’s claim.  They sent in their own investigators to complete “wipe samples” and air testing.  Lab results are expected today.  If the EPA investigation finds the asbestos handling rules were broken, PHA could receive civil sanctions and fines.

Read more at Toxic Haste