One Brussels Street Realty Trust has been assessed a $29,000 penalty from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for violations of state asbestos regulations at the trust’s commercial property at 1 Brussels St. in Worcester.

The trust was cited for failing to notify MassDEP of a demolition/renovation operation involving asbestos-containing materials; improper removal and handling of asbestos-containing materials; and for improper handling, packaging and storage of asbestos-containing waste materials at the site, according to a statement.

Under the settlement terms, MassDEP suspended $21,825 of the $29,000 penalty as long as the company expends at least $21,825 to complete a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP). The SEP requires the trust retains a DOS-licensed asbestos inspector to complete a full asbestos survey of both buildings on site. The trust must also hire a DOS-licensed asbestos contractor to remove all friable asbestos materials, as well as mark with asbestos warning labels any non-friable asbestos-containing materials that are identified and will not be removed.

"Property owners in Massachusetts must be fully aware of their responsibilities under the regulations to identify asbestos-containing materials in their building, and to ensure any removal or disturbance of them is done by licensed companies utilizing trained and certified workers to ensure the work is completed safely and in accordance with the regulations," said Lee Dillard Adams, deputy director of MassDEP’s central regional office in Worcester. "Failure to identify and remove asbestos materials properly is an extremely serious, and ultimately a costly oversight that potentially exposes workers and the general public to a known carcinogen."