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Florida contractor under investigation in relation to asbestos discovery
Now that it has been confirmed that the Summerlin overpass site in Fort Myers, Florida contains asbestos, the company running the work site is under increased scrutiny. The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating other projects coordinated by Posen Construction, the firm responsible for the work on the Summerlin overpass. Posen has a known history of asbestos violations, and the Department of Environmental Protection's investigation aims to uncover the scope of these past asbestos violations.
The investigation will determine if asbestos was used in their building materials, which could explain how the asbestos-tainted fill material ended up at the Summerlin site. Rhonda Haag, outreach manager for DEP's Fort Myers office, said a "handful" of Posen's former projects were being investigated.
Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, known to affect less than 3,000 Americans each year. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients perish from this aggressive form of cancer within 2 years.
"There's going to be a cost involved to remediate the asbestos," said DOT Director Scott Gilbertson. "From our position it's their [Posen's] position to take care of that."
In January 2008, Posen paid a $6,500 fine after asbestos was discovered at one of its material disposal sites. Now, because of the recent concerns surrounding their work, Posen will no longer be able to bid on projects in Lee County, according to Commissioner Bob Janes, who simply stated: "We can't put up with that."