New York Contractor Arrested for Allegedly Exposing Community to Asbestos

By Brian Cole

Published on November 13, 2006

Everett Blatche, 44, is charged with violating the Clean Air and Clean Water acts. He has been in charge of asbestos removal at the former Agway building in De Witt, New York.

Asbestos is known to cause a number of serious diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other forms of lung cancer. Assistant U.S. attorney Craig Benedict said the building was one of the worst toxic waste sites involving asbestos his office has ever encountered.

The building in question sits across the street from a shopping mall, placing shoppers in danger of coming into contact with any chemicals emanating from the structure. For several months, crews have worked to clear the 223,000-square-foot building of its hazardous material.

In addition to allegedly allowing asbestos to escape the building and contaminate the surrounding neighborhood, Blatche is accused of dumping asbestos material into drains that flowed to public streets and allowing asbestos-contaminated material to be used for construction fill. He is also charged with failing to ensure workers used protective equipment when handling the material.

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