EPA penalizes Boise company $74,000 for asbestos violations 

SEATTLE (November 8, 2023) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that First Team Restoration Inc. of Boise, Idaho, has agreed to pay a $74,500 penalty for violations of the Clean Air Act.  

In May 2021, First Team Restoration Inc., an asbestos abatement contractor, was hired to remove asbestos-containing roof shingles from First Presbyterian Church in downtown Boise. The roof shingles were removed using tools that shattered and crumbled the roof shingles in the process. 

EPA alleged that the company violated federal laws for asbestos under the Clean Air Act by: 

• Allowing cracked and broken shingles to fall from the roof to the ground resulting in emissions of asbestos dust and debris  
• Not applying enough water to control dust and debris 
• Not marking a waste trailer with warning signs while it was being loaded 

“Federal asbestos laws protect the health of workers and the community during demolition and renovation projects,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “When you fail to follow those procedures, your job site can become contaminated and put people at risk of exposure to a known carcinogen.”   

Asbestos is a hazardous air pollutant regulated by EPA to protect public health. Asbestos fibers are commonly found in building materials such as roofing shingles, floor tiles, and heat resistant fabrics. In general, exposure may occur when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air. Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. 

First Team Restoration Inc. previously settled with EPA for violations of the federal asbestos regulations in January 2021.  

Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.