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Portland Asbestos Trainer's Certification Suspended
Release Date: 7/9/1998
Contact Information: Bob Jacobson
[email protected]
(206) 553-1203
July 9, 1998 - - - - - - - - - 98-36
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
An Oregon corporation is no longer accredited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to offer training for persons who work with asbestos. The EPA authorization was taken away by an agreement late last month between EPA and the firm --- Asbestos Services International (ASI) Inc. of Portland.
Although he signed the agreement, Jim Jones, the owner of ASI, denied allegations made by EPA last August when it suspended its accreditation of all asbestos training courses offered by ASI. The suspension was based on Jones' refusal to allow EPA access to training records as required by federal law. EPA also alleged that Jones failed to meet prescribed training standards and requirements.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen. The laws regulating asbestos were enacted to keep asbestos fibers out of the air people breathe, according to Dave Croxton, manager of EPA's regional solid waste and toxic unit in Seattle.
"EPA wants to make absolutely sure people who handle asbestos in homes, schools, offices and other buildings are properly trained," Croxton said. "Without those assurances from Mr. Jones, EPA had no choice but to suspend its accreditation for Asbestos Services International."
If materials containing asbestos are not handled properly, fibers can remain airborne for considerable periods of time, Croxton explained. When the fibers settle, any routine movement can resuspend them, making it possible for them to be inhaled by anyone nearby.
When Jones appealed the suspension, EPA gathered additional evidence which -- according to EPA -- showed that Jones taught a course he was never authorized to teach. EPA alleged that certificates of completion offered at the end of the course bore the name of a trainer who was properly authorized by EPA but who did not participate in the training. Jones denied these additional allegations by EPA.
The agreement between Jones and EPA prohibits Jones from offering training courses which EPA previously authorized him or ASI to teach. If he were to offer such courses, he would be subject to civil penalties or to imprisonment, or both.
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