News Release: DEQ reaches agreement with Detroit to resolve asbestos violations from city's demolition program

For Immediate Release:
December 28, 2018

Contact:
Chelsea Lewis, MDEQ Public Information Officer, 517-284-6716
DEQ Media Office, deq-assist@michigan.gov, 517-284-9278

DEQ reaches agreement with Detroit to resolve asbestos violations from city’s demolition program

LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) entered a consent judgment with the city of Detroit (City), the city of Detroit Building Authority (DBA), and the Detroit Land Bank on December 19, 2018, to resolve alleged violations of the federal National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (Asbestos NESHAP) and state asbestos rules stemming from City’s demolition program targeting blighted and dangerous residential structures.

“Asbestos is a known carcinogen that must be addressed prior to demolition work,” said DEQ director C. Heidi Grether. “We appreciate the City’s willingness to work with the DEQ to reduce the risk to citizens who continue to live and work near these abandoned structures.” 

The agreement requires compliance with all state and federal asbestos requirements and requires the DBA to conduct additional post abatement inspections to check for asbestos prior to demolition. 

The City has the option to submit a proposal for a supplemental environmental project within 12 months which may reduce a portion of the total settlement amount and must be environmentally beneficial. If future violations of the Asbestos NESHAP occur, a stipulated penalty of $3,500 per violation may be assessed. The consent judgment will be active for three years from its effective date. 

The consent judgment also includes a settlement amount of $100,000. 

“The DEQ remains committed to ensuring that the City’s demolition projects comply with the state and federal asbestos rules and regulations to ensure that public health is not adversely affected,” Grether added.

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