|
| |
 |
AQMD Helps Streamline Asbestos Removal Following Damage
from 60 Freeway Fire, High Winds
|
December 20, 2011
Responding to the discovery of material containing hazardous asbestos in
the fire-damaged 60 freeway overpass, AQMD quickly reviewed and streamlined
approval of Caltrans’ plans last week to safely remove and dispose of
asbestos-containing material during demolition of a portion of the overpass.
AQMD also has temporarily waived fees and early notification requirements
for removal of asbestos that may be needed for demolitions and cleanup
resulting from hurricane-force winds that pounded foothill communities last
month.
“Anyone removing asbestos-containing materials must notify AQMD 10 days
prior to any demolition or renovation. In addition they must remove and
dispose of any asbestos material in the appropriate manner to ensure that
the public is protected from this highly toxic material,” said Barry
Wallerstein, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District. “However during emergency and disaster events we do everything
possible to expedite the notification and approval process to speed up the
recovery and resumption of public services.”
According to Caltrans officials, asbestos material was discovered late
Thursday afternoon in several hundred feet of fiber optic cable pipe
embedded in the sidewalk of the Paramount Boulevard overpass on the 60
freeway. The overpass was heavily damaged following a gasoline tanker truck
fire beneath it on Wednesday.
Once notified, AQMD immediately dispatched field inspectors to the site to
investigate the asbestos material. On Thursday night, AQMD rapidly reviewed
and approved Caltrans’ plan for removing asbestos material.
Meanwhile, to aid in windstorm recovery and following the declaration of a
state of emergency by Gov. Jerry Brown, Wallerstein also issued an
executive
order (PDF 52KB) temporarily waiving the fees and the waiting period for all asbestos
cleanups in the affected areas and cities of Los Angeles County and the city
of Rancho Cucamonga. The AQMD’s executive order is issued for a 10 day
period and expires at 5 p.m. on Dec. 25, but will be extended in 10-day
increments, or until the state of emergency is lifted, if deemed necessary.
Buildings built before 1984 and even some built later may contain asbestos
in roofs, floor tiles, acoustic ceilings, insulation, sound proofing, cement
pipes, heating ducts, pipe coverings and other materials.
For more information on AQMD’s requirements and guidelines for asbestos
cleanup, see www.aqmd.gov.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
|
This page updated:
December 20, 2011
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/2011/AsbestosEO.htm
|
