Medford Man Penalized $8,400 for Unlicensed Asbestos Work on House in Ashland

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an $8,400 penalty to Medford resident Thomas Ray Moroni for performing an asbestos abatement project on a house in Ashland without the required state license.

In January 2010 Moroni, of 1457 Ramada Ave., Medford, removed about 2,000 square feet of cement asbestos board siding from an old house at 111 Nursery St. in Ashland. All persons conducting asbestos projects in Oregon must have a license certifying they are qualified to perform such projects and able to handle, remove and dispose of asbestos in a safe manner. Moroni did not have such a license.

DEQ reported that Moroni, in removing the asbestos siding, crushed and pulverized the material, likely releasing asbestos fibers into the air. Asbestos fibers are a respiratory hazard proven to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, and asbestos is a danger to public health and a hazardous air contaminant for which there is no safe level of exposure.

DEQ also noted that Moroni allowed a portion of the asbestos-containing waste materials he removed to be stored unpackaged on the ground outside the house. A licensed asbestos abatement contractor eventually disposed of the material properly. DEQ did not issue a penalty to Moroni for this violation.

Moroni has until April 25 to appeal the penalty and request an informal meeting with DEQ. If he does not appeal by that date, the full penalty amount will be due.