Man Pleads Guilty in Case Involving Asbestos-Dumping
According to a UticaOD.com news story, a man in New Jersey pleaded guilty in a federal case involving asbestos. The 55-year-old man will face up to five years in federal prison as well as a fine of up to $250,000, say federal prosecutors. He’ll be sentenced in January at the U.S. District Court in Utica.
Specifically, the man admitted to obtaining a bogus state permit which allowed the dumping of asbestos. This permit was faxed to many trucking companies that had no idea it wasn’t legitimate. As many as 60 tons of materials contaminated with asbestos wound up being dumped in a field in upstate New York.
Though the man has pleaded guilty, the case is not yet over — federal prosecutors say the man is not the only one responsible for drafting the fake permit. Other co-conspirators “remain under investigation.”
The Danger of Asbestos
Typically found in a fiber-like form, asbestos is a naturally occurring, fire-retardant mineral that was used in building materials like pipes and boilers. Asbestos can be found in the ground all over the world since it’s a metamorphic mineral. Asbestos is dangerous when it’s disturbed — the bundles of fibers it is composed of break into dust clouds of microscopic particles. These particles can enter the air and water or even stick to clothing. When inhaled, asbestos fibers enter the lungs where they cannot be broken down by the body, and after many years, they start to eat away at the lungs and its lining. This can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, along with asbestosis.
Asbestos Exposure
No doubt, residents near the New York field at which 60 tons of asbestos-contaminated materials were dumped have every right to be upset. Asbestos exposure is dangerous and, as mentioned above, can lead to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.
If you would like more information about mesothelioma and getting help for it, don’t hesitate to call 1-888-370-0121.
Tags: asbestos, asbestos exposure, asbestos in the news, mesothelioma, mesothelioma lawyer
