| The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has penalized Andover-based Peninsula Home Builders Inc. $98,150 for numerous asbestos violations found at a residential renovation project at 8 Manton Terrace in Brookline.
MassDEP responded on Sept. 16, 2016, to a complaint received from the Brookline Board of Health, which had issued a stop-work order earlier that day.
MassDEP found evidence during the initial inspection of possible asbestos-containing debris and materials scattered outside the property that was undergoing renovation and demolition work. During the inspection, MassDEP obtained samples and through testing found and confirmed the following:
Dry, friable asbestos-containing cement shingles had been removed from more than half the exterior surface of the residence with portions in an open top dumpster, and scattered inside the residence and outside on the ground throughout the property. Piping and duct work had been removed from the existing structure and the dry, friable asbestos thermal-insulation had been stripped off, with asbestos material found in the basement, in an open trash can outside, as well as scattered outside on the ground throughout the property.
“The developer failed to complete the required asbestos survey, which – if done – would have indicated the wide prevalence of asbestos-containing materials present at the site,” Eric Worrall, director of MassDEP’s Northeast Regional office in Wilmington, said in a statement. “Dry, friable asbestos is a serious public health risk that is not acceptable because the fibers can more readily become airborne and are known to pose a danger when inhaled.”
Peninsula Home Builders has agreed to fully comply with all applicable regulations going forward and will submit a list of properties it owns, how long it has owned them and identify which of those properties has undergone demolition or renovation work. For any property with renovation or demolition work, Peninsula will provide copies of documentation to support that all proper contracts, bid proposals, bills of lading, manifests and completion certificates were obtained.
Peninsula will pay $30,000 of the penalty, and MassDEP agreed to suspend the remaining $68,350 provided the company does not violate any terms of the agreement.
