Demolition Company Cited by Department of Natural Resources for Asbestos Violations

Patrick Fee, owner of demolition company Red Rock CDT, alleges his competitors have falsely accused him of environmental violations while razing an old high school building in Chillicothe, Missouri a few months ago. Red Rock CDT won the demolition contract after submitting a low bid of $195,000. Since then, several anonymous complaints were lodged, allegedly from jealous competitors. The complaints caused Red Rock CDT to be investigated by state agencies, and ultimately caused the company to miss important deadlines.

“The demolition business is like any other business — it’s a dog-eat-dog world,” said Mr. Fee. “We’ve been called in so many times on things out there, it’s getting to be a harassment deal.”

However, Red Rock CDT has now been cited for a solid waste disposal infraction by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This violation is on top of a previous one that occurred in May. In that instance, the DNR cited Red Rock for an asbestos removal violation.

Asbestos must be removed carefully, as exposure to the material can lead to mesothelioma or asbestosis. According to Steve Boone, an environmental specialist with the DNR, the violation was uncovered during a routine inspection. The general contractor on the site violated asbestos regulations by smashing asbestos-laden floor tiles into pieces that were smaller than was is acceptable by law.

Mr. Fee said that he wants to sit down with officials so that he can better understand this violation. “If the college boys want to sit down and try to figure it out, they can,” Mr. Fee said of the alleged discrepancies. “But they’re going to have to put it in terms that a country boy can understand.”