Large Fine Issued Over Asbestos Violations At Cambridge Property

CAMBRIDGE, MA — The company that owns a multi-family residential property in Cambridge has been fined for asbestos, hazardous waste, and air quality violations, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

MassDEP issued an $82,562.50 penalty to 270 Sidney Street, LLC, which owns the property. The violations were discovered after the agency received a complaint and conducted an inspection of the property.

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During the inspection, MassDEP collected samples of roofing debris, gutter mastic, and cement siding debris. Laboratory testing and analysis later confirmed the presence of asbestos at levels exceeding safe exposure limits.

MassDEP has ordered the property owner to immediately stop work and hire a licensed asbestos contractor to properly remove and dispose of the asbestos-containing materials.

"Asbestos is a hazardous material that must be handled in accordance with strict regulatory requirements to prevent harmful exposures to the residents and the surrounding community," Eric Worrall, director of MassDEP's Northeast Regional Office in Woburn, said in a statement.

"This enforcement emphasizes the importance of compliance with state regulations as MassDEP remains committed to holding violators accountable."

MassDEP regulates the handling, removal, storage, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials in Massachusetts. Property owners and contractors are generally required to notify MassDEP and the state Department of Labor Standards at least 10 working days before beginning asbestos abatement work.

Asbestos fibers can become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed and can cause serious health problems when inhaled. MassDEP also maintains a public database of asbestos removal and construction and demolition notifications filed with the state.

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