Woman charged after dumping mesothelioma-causing asbestosKeene, New Hampshire - According to the New Hampshire Attorney General, a woman from the college town of Keene, New Hampshire has been sentenced after being found guilty of illegally dumping asbestos on the campus of Keene State College. The woman, sixty-three year old Lourdes Ramirez-Crusellas, has been sentenced to nine days in prison. She pleaded guilty during the last week of January to two misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct.
Ramirez-Crusellas generated the asbestos-tainted debris during a home renovation project, and illegally dumped the material into a dumpster at Keene State College, where she was employed.
Exposure to asbestos that has not been properly sealed up prior to disposal can lead to serious health problems. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. Asbestos exposure can also lead to lung cancer and asbestosis. These health risks explain why there are such strict regulations in place at both the state and federal levels to govern the removal, handling, and disposal of asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years.
Ramirez-Crusellas received an initial sentence of 12 months, with all but nine days suspended. She will also be forced to pay $4,000 in fines, as well as pay for proper disposal of the asbestos she dumped at the college.
