PITTSFIELD, Mass. — DEP has fined a city man for illegally removing asbestos from a home on Circular Avenue.

 

The Department of Environmental Protection fined Robert Clum $27,100 for removing the material from 65 Circular Avenue in August of last year. The work, removing and disposing of asbestos pipe insulation, potentially exposed the residents to asbestos fibers, DEP says. Clum does not have a contractor's license to the work nor did he notified the state regarding it.

 

DEP says Clum was hired by the homeowner to remove the insulation from the basement of the two-family home. He did the work without techniques to prevent the air-borne release of asbestos, DEP said. Following the work, a proper abatement was done by a licensed contractor with DEP's oversight.

 

"n this case, an elderly resident was clearly taken advantage of by an individual unqualified to remove asbestos material," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield.

 

"It is essential that asbestos abatement be performed by a licensed contractor to ensure that there is no risk to human health and safety or the environment."

 

Property owners and contractors are asked to contact DEP with any questions about the materials, notification requirements, proper removal, handling, packaging, storage, and disposal procedures.