Collinsville cited by epa for asbestos violations in beck’s lodge demolition

COLLINSVILLE, Illinois â€" The city of Collinsville is facing possible enforcement action after allegedly violating state and federal asbestos handling regulations in the demolition of the old Beck’s Lodge Hotel. Beck’s Lodge and Apartments has been at the center of an ongoing controversy over demolition for years. The building began life as a motel, but had become a lodging house/apartment building in recent years. In 2006, a fire gutted the building and prompted the beginning of demolition which was halted after asbestos was found at the site. On January 14, the city of Collinsville demolished the building after notifying the state EPA offices. Almost immediately, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency called a halt to the removal of debris, alleging that the city had failed to remove several thousand square feet of sprayed on asbestos insulation before proceeding with the demolition. The government agency said in a press release that IEPA officials believe that the city improperly demolished the building because they did not remove over 10,000 square feet of friable asbestos-containing spray-on ceiling material, as well as a large amount of non-friable asbestos containing material. Friable asbestos can be crumbled or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. State and federal regulations require the removal of all friable asbestos containing material and its proper disposal before demolition to prevent asbestos fibers from being released into the air. A city official stated that the city contacted the IEPA’s office in Collinsville about the demolition project months ago, and submitted all proper forms and other documents about the site. However, the city has stated that they actually began the demolition four days early on the site. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency asked the Attorney General’s office to proceed with enforcement action against the city on Tuesday. On Monday, the City Council approved a contract with Environmental Consultants to help plan and guide the debris removal and cleanup of the former Beck’s Lodge site. The amount of the contract is $18,920, and only covers consultation and advice. The city had turned in the required forms with all required documentation before the demolition, said a city official. The IEPA contacted the city after demolition began, while the crews were actually demolishing the structure to inform the city that the forms were incorrect. The city believes that they will be able to resume demolition by next week. Meanwhile, the city is required to maintain a fence around the property and to keep the debris wet to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that causes a number of cancers including mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer that only affects those who have been exposed to asbestos. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)