Colorado man accused of improper asbestos handlingDenver, Colorado - A federal grand jury has indicted a Denver man on charges relating to improper asbestos removal. The incidents allegedly took place at various sites throughout Colorado. According to local news sources, the asbestos from these sites was improperly stored at a rental storage unit when it should have been disposed of at a licensed dumping facility.
The nine-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court alleges that James Robert Soyars Jr., owner of Talon Environmental Inc., committed various violations of the federal Clean Air Act when he illegally stored the asbestos waste material.
Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. If the material is mishandled, particles can become airborne. If inhaled, these particles can cause serious damage to the lungs or other major organs. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are many treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure.
The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms. Sadly, many mesothelioma patients pass away within weeks or months after being diagnosed. Exposure to asbestos may also cause asbestosis and lung cancer. The incidents allegedly occurred between April 22, 2006 and August 28, 2006. The asbestos came from a former bowling alley in Greeley and a Gateway Mazda dealership in Aurora, among other sites. Soyars now faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if he is found guilty.
