Federal Contractors Improperly Dumped Wildfire-Related Asbestos Waste at LA Area Landfills

Federal contractors improperly dumped wildfire-related asbestos waste at LA area landfills

LOS ANGELES — Federal contractors tasked with clearing ash and debris from the Eaton and Palisades wildfires improperly sent truckloads of asbestos-tainted waste to nonhazardous landfills, including one where workers were not wearing respiratory protection, according to state and local…

Federal contractors improperly dumped wildfire-related asbestos waste at L.A. landfills

Cleanup crews contracted by the Army Corp of Engineers dumped asbestos-tainted wildfire debris in landfills that they shouldn't have, according to government records.

Is it unsafe to drill holes into walls that have asbestos?

Yes. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos “that is in good condition and left undisturbed” doesn’t pose a health risk. However, actions that interfere with asbestos, like drilling holes to hang a picture or a shelving unit on a wall, release the material into the air.  Asbestos comprises six minerals that have been used in home construction since the 1800s, with popcorn ceilings installed before 1980 being made of asbe…