Hillsboro Landfill Inc. and parent company Waste Management is being fined $6,400 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for allegedly failing to contain asbestos.

Even though it is legal for Hillsboro to remove the asbestos material, state agency inspectors had discovered that the company did not adequately bury the asbestos waste with the minimum requirement of 12 inches of dirt.

“There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, which can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis,” according to the DEQ.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency describes exposure to asbestos as potentially harmful to human health and the environment.

Furthermore the EPA defines hazardous waste as any “liquid, solid, contaminated gas, or sludge that contain properties that are dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment.”

Asbestos must be disposed of in designated landfills following state and federal mandated procedures to limit the chances of human exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to Asbestos Concerns

There are numerous health concerns associated with exposure to this fibrous material, including asbestos related cancers.

Mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are primary concerns associated with exposure, which is why there is such strict guidelines when dumping asbestos into designated landfills.

Asbestos lung cancer is specifically caused by asbestos exposure, when the fibers are inhaled through the air and then fester in the lungs. Mesothelioma is similar to asbestos lung cancer, with the disease attacking the mucus lining of the lungs rather than the organ itself.

Asbestos related cancers often take decades to develop, which often leads to latent diagnoses and shortened life expectancies.

Due to the serious health concerns induced by exposure to asbestos, companies must follow strict state and federal procedure when disposing asbestos materials.

These designated landfills, also called Asbestos Containment Material (ACM) landfills, are then supposed to be sealed up to at least six inches of dirt or other non contaminated material to prevent exposure to asbestos. These landfills are designed to adhere to federal regulations, which must have a run on control system and a run off management system.

These designated landfills must also be buried in a specific mix of soil or other materials to protect nearby residents and surrounding environment from exposure to asbestos.

Even if there are landfills with no active asbestos emissions, warning signs must be present in order to alert people of potential asbestos exposure.

“We are committed to full compliance with environmental regulations to protect the environment as well as the health and safety of our employees. [O]ur environmental track record has been strong over the years at this site, and we are continuously training staff to ensure compliance,” stated Waste Management spokesperson Jackie Lang.

The city of Hillsboro has appealed the fine and states its training has been updated to meet DEQ standards.

Individuals who may have been injured by asbestos exposure, may be able to file legal action against the manufacturing company responsible. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine if they have an asbestos cancer lawsuit.