<a href="/states/massachusetts/">Massachusetts</a> Attorney General (AG) Maura Healey is suing GTA Co., Inc. (GTA) and other companies for illegal asbestos practices. The company ignored asbestos handling laws while demolishing asbestos pipes. Other companies in Boston and Revere have also been charged with illegally storing asbestos waste. The negligent actions of these companies endanger residents and workers. Inhalation of <a href="/asbestos-exposure/what-is-asbestos/">asbestos</a> can lead to diseases such as lung cancer and <a href="/mesothelioma/">mesothelioma</a>. Because of this, it is crucial companies follow current state and <a href="/lawyer/legislation/">federal asbestos laws</a>. Although there is no full ban of the mineral, asbestos laws help protect workers and the public from the dangers of <a href="/asbestos-exposure/">asbestos exposure</a>. <h2>Corporate Asbestos Violations Endanger Public Health</h2> GTA is an Everett-based construction company. It was hired to remove and demolish asbestos-contaminated pipes in Everett and Braintree. These water pipes ran through major city streets. The company ignored mandated asbestos practices for safe <a href="/asbestos-exposure/handling/">asbestos handling and removal</a>. This negligence put its workers and residents at risk of asbestos exposure. In Everett and Braintree, GTA left loose asbestos debris in open dumpsters and on the ground. In Braintree, crushed asbestos debris was also buried along Sheppard Avenue. The company’s actions violate the state’s Clean Air Act (CAA). Additionally, the attorney general’s lawsuit claims the company and its president, Gregory T. Antonelli, violated the state’s False Claims Act. The company and Antonelli lied to the Town of Braintree about its adherence to these state and federal asbestos laws. The attorney general’s office also charged the following companies with violating Massachusetts' CAA: <ul class="multi-column-list multi-column-list--two"> <li>EZ Disposal & Recycling, LLC</li> <li>EZ Disposal Service, Inc.</li> <li>Ricmer Properties, Inc.</li> <li>413-419 Bremen Street, LLC</li> </ul> These companies participated in the illegal transportation, handling and storage of asbestos materials. AG Healey released a statement planning to seek justice from all guilty parties.
