City of Oakland Sues Debris Hauling Company for Discharging Potentially Dangerous Dust

A construction debris hauling company has come under fire from residents and the City of Oakland for discharging dust that potentially contains asbestos and other hazardous materials. A lawsuit, filed earlier this year against the company by City Attorney Barbara Parker, charges the company with intentionally blowing dust from construction debris into the neighborhood, allowing contaminated water to flow into the city's storm water system and operating in violation of zoning laws. 

In a statement released by the city attorney's office, Parker states, "West Oakland neighborhoods have suffered disproportionately from pollution in the air, soil and ground water, and that has taken a toll on the health of West Oaklanders. Children living near freeways in Oakland are hospitalized for asthma at 12 times the rate of children in Lafayette, and West Oakland residents suffer a 2.5 times greater lifetime risk of cancer compared to the Bay Area as a whole. This lawsuit is about environmental justice for West Oakland. Given the environmental threats in the neighborhood, it is unconscionable for anyone to deliberately add to this danger and potentially harm the health of children who live nearby."  

Dust and debris from demolition projects, construction sites and waste hauling operations have the potential to contain all types of hazardous materials. Exposure issues due to the presence of dust contaminated with lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials are a real threat. Asbestos is a frequent hazard in these situations because it was used in a number of older buildings constructed up until the late 1970s. It can be found in building materials ranging from insulation, roofing and siding to vinyl floor tiles, cement sheets and adhesives to name just a few of the many common asbestos-containing materials. Under the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP), contractors who renovate or partially demolish pre-1978 residential buildings must be lead-safe certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and use lead-safe practices. However, this rule does not apply to the total demolition of a structure. 

LA Testing offers laboratory services to California residents, companies, government agencies and advocacy groups to identify exposure risks associated with demolition projects and waste removal. Testing includes everything from hazardous materials that include minerals such as asbestos; lead and other heavy metals; chemicals; and even microbial contaminants. LA Testing is also a source for particulate monitors that can detect and log tiny airborne pollutants.

To learn more about environmental, occupational, health and safety testing services or air monitoring instruments, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California's leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

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