Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Dan Desler is charged with unlawful asbestos air pollution and reckless endangerment regarding a former mill property in Sweet Home, Oregon.  Desler was arrested on felony air pollution charges after an investigation showed evidence of improper demolition of old buildings on an old mill property. 

The mill was built in the 1930's when asbestos containing materials were commonly used in construction.  Dan Heister, an inspector with the EPA's Emergency Response Unit in Portland, says tests results reveal that the roof and concrete materials left behind on the property after demolition contained asbestos. Desler is charged with reckless endangerment because he knew that the buildings contained asbestos and yet moved forward with the demolition without following regulations or taking any safety precautions.

Asbestos was a popular material used in building and construction for many years because of its indestructibility and insulating and fireproofing properties.  Asbestos containing materials are considered dangerous when they become friable and can releases asbestos fibers into the air.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos is friable when it is able to be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry.  In this condition, asbestos is easily inhaled, becomes lodged in the lungs, and cause serious illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.  Strict regulations exist around the demolition of older buildings and disposal of asbestos in order to protect against the dangers of exposure. 

Desler is charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of unlawful air pollution and blatant disregard of safety regulations.  The property in Sweet Home remains filled with asbestos contaminated debris that Desler does not have the funds to clean up.  Therefore, EPA Superfund money will most likely be used to pay for the cleanup over the summer, and efforts to recover some of the costs will follow.  The remains of the demolished buildings will be taken to a permitted landfill site.