Man will go to jail following violations of asbestos mesothelioma regulations

A St. Louis man has been sentenced to a year in prison after it was found that he falsified a number of asbestos inspection reports. Numerous state and federal regulations govern how asbestos is handled, as asbestos exposure has been linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.

Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. Sadly, many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma pass away within weeks or months after being told that they are ill. However, many other patients live with this aggressive cancer for many years.

The man, Calvin Burks of J & C Environmental Services, Inc., pleaded guilty last December to one felony count of making false statements, and was sentenced this month by U.S. District Judge Carol E. Jackson. According to local news reports, during the period between April 2008 to May 2009, Burks conducted more than 100 asbestos inspections of buildings throughout St. Louis, all of which were falsified.

Burks charged $150 each for his fake reports, which stated that the building being inspected was in line with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for notification of demolition and renovation. As a direct result of Burks’ actions, city officials issued a demolition permit authorizing the razing of a property located at 6257-6259 Gravois Avenue.

It has not been reported if any asbestos was present in the demolition debris at the property.