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Resident urges air-quality test after reported asbestos-handling failures at West Washington site
Summary
A resident told the council she has FOIA records of 14 violations and asked the city to produce any air-quality/asbestos studies and order an immediate inspection at a West Washington apartment site where abatement materials remain unsecured.
At the city council’s public-comment period, Cindy Cantwell said she obtained correspondence from the U.S. EPA through FOIA showing 14 documented violations at an apartment complex on West Washington and described 11/20/2023 EPA recommendations requiring immediate measures, a licensed asbestos inspection within 45 days, and full-depth debris inspection.
Cantwell said she has photos from 2024 showing torn plastic, unsecured debris and an abandoned trailer she believes belonged to an asbestos removal contractor. She asked the council whether any air-quality or asbestos air studies exist and requested an immediate air-quality inspection and production of any existing study.
Cantwell said city staff previously told her no air-quality records existed and later that the city was still looking; she urged the council to clarify the record and provide documented results or to initiate testing given the ongoing presence of deteriorated abatement materials.
The council acknowledged the request and thanked her for bringing documentation to the chamber; the transcript indicates the item was entered into the public record and will be considered by staff for follow-up.
