Improper asbestos handling allegations at ohio landfill

Lisbon, Ohio â€" South of Lisbon, Ohio, the A&L Salvage Landfill is a sight for sore eyesâ€"and noses. Apart from the dust and the smell, however, residents are concerned more about the possibility of asbestos exposure. After allegations made by locals of improper asbestos handling, the Environmental Protection Agency may even step in and take action. Local resident John Richmond says he shot four videos of day-to-day operations at the A&L Landfill, and claims that his videos show employees handling bags of asbestos in an unsafe manner. The videos show, says Richmond, that harmful asbestos dust is being released into the air. “I’m not anti-landfill; the stuff has to go somewhere. Everybody makes the stuff that goes into these places, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to do this, and this is constantly done the wrong way. Residents who live near the landfill say they’ve been concerned about water contamination and dust clouds at the site for a long time. Karen Ray, a local who lives close to the site, says, “The chemicals and things like that are going into the water we’re drinking. I have three children and that’s just something you have to think about. Not only from now but what’s going to happen to them with their health in the future.” John Richmond believes it’s time the Ohio EPA forces the A&L Landfill comply with state codes, or shut the operation down. Richmond turned his video footage over to the EPA, and the agency has since asked the state Attorney General to deny the A&L Landfillâ€"which allegedly has as many as 23 previous violationsâ€"a continuing operating license. The A&L Landfill Director of Operations, Stephen Callahan, has attempted to reassure neighbors that everything possible is being done to minimize risk at the site. “I think that we can give them some level of comfort that they’re not being exposed to anything dangerous,” Callahan says. “We understand it’s a landfill and that’s not the preferred neighbor to have, but I think if they could continue to educate themselves on what we do, that they will have much less concern on what goes on at the site.” Stephen Callahan has encouraged locals to visit the facility if they have any questions. For now, though, talks between the A&L Landfill and the Ohio EPA continue, and nothing has yet been decided. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)