Asbestos cleanup required at pond in Dodge County

Four parties ordered to pay

June 6, 2005
By S. Heather Duncan
Telegraph Staff Writer

Dodge County, a church, a contractor and a local landowner are being required to clean up construction waste containing asbestos, which was used as a dam in a Dodge County pond.

"For folks that may not be aware of asbestos or solid waste regulations - to use this material in construction projects is really not a good idea," said Mary Sheffield, the state Environmental Protection Division program manager for the Albany district.

The EPD is also working on four consent orders that will require the parties involved to sponsor and attend a free asbestos education seminar in Dodge County, said William Spain, who manages the EPD's asbestos and lead-based paint programs.

He said no one will be fined if they hold the training and remove the waste.

Dodge County Manager Kelly Bowen said she has no idea how much this will cost, but the County Commission approved hiring a contractor to do the work.

The asbestos was in tile and tile glue, some of which was still attached to chunks of concrete, Spain said.

Asbestos is dangerous only when it is broken up, releasing fibers which can be breathed into the lungs, potentially causing scarring, incurable cancer and lung or heart failure. The material, once popular for its heat-resistance, is found in most older buildings.

EPD officials and those involved said the problem started when New Vision Ministries hired contractor Homer Vaughn to demolish an old Dairy Queen on North Second Street in Cochran, where the congregation had been worshipping. The congregation had moved into a new church in September, the Rev. William Evans said.

Vaughn agreed to do the job and put the waste in a landfill for $4,000, Evans said. Vaughn said he took the job to help the church and made no profit.

He said a church official first directed him to take the waste to a transfer station, but the waste was refused.

Evans said church elders had been approached by Wayne Mullis, who requested the construction waste be dumped into his pond on West Chicken Road. The materials were to be used as a dam because the pond had been drained after the county installed a large pipe to prevent road washouts.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent a letter to Mullis stating that he had violated federal laws about dumping in wetlands, Sheffield said. The Corps office in Savannah refused to provide a copy of the letter because the case is still open.

Mullis declined to comment. Spain said Mullis told EPD officials he was concerned the fish would die if he didn't build up the dam.

None of those involved realized asbestos was in the waste, nor followed state rules about demolition notification and asbestos inspections, Spain said.

Evans said the church relied on city officials and contractors to tell them what was required. Vaughn didn't know the rules because he normally builds ponds.

"I wish it hadn't happened," he said. "I never dealt with asbestos before, and I hope I never do again."

Dodge County must help pay for cleanup because about half the material landed on the county right of way, Bowen said.

"We had no idea it was being put there ahead of time, and to ask us to be responsible for moving it - I understand, but it's kind of strange," Bowen said.

A small amount of asbestos-containing tiles remain in the church parking lot, Spain said.

"They are not a significant health threat, but they have the potential to slightly increase public risk to asbestos exposure," Spain said.

Thursday, a licensed asbestos-abatement contractor agreed to remove them for New Vision for free, Evans and Spain said.

In the meantime, Evans said the area has been roped off to prevent the public from driving or walking across the material.

The four-hour seminar on advanced asbestos awareness will probably be held in the fall, Spain said. Anyone in Middle Georgia who wants to attend can call Kim Feagler (404) 362-2684 for more information.

"My suspicion is that every day, somewhere in the state, someone is renovating or demolishing a building ... without having dealt with the asbestos," Spain said.

To contact S. Heather Duncan, call 744-4225 or e-mail hduncan@macontel.com.

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