[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Owens Announces Asbestos Awareness Seminars under ADEQ's Route 66 Asbestos Initiative

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Director Owens Announces Asbestos Awareness Seminars under ADEQ's
Route 66 Asbestos Initiative

PHOENIX -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve
Owens announced today that ADEQ is launching a series of Asbestos
Awareness Seminars to help demolition and renovation contractors and
small communities comply with asbestos regulations.  

So far three seminars are scheduled, in partnership with the Arizona
chapter of the Environmental Information Association:

*	April 18, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Holbrook Library, 403 Park St.,
Holbrook
*	June 13, Sedona/Cottonwood, location to be determined
*	August 15, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Kingman Council Chambers,
310 N. 4th St., Kingman

These seminars are free but registration is required. Registration for
the seminar in Holbrook is required on or before April 14.  For
additional information, please visit www.eia-az.org or contact ADEQ at
ecm@azdeq.gov.

Director Owens launched the Route 66 Asbestos Initiative last October to
address potential asbestos problems in small communities throughout
Arizona and ensure that asbestos-containing material is handled and
disposed of properly.

Owens said: "Many small communities across the state have older
buildings they want to preserve, renovate or even demolish that contain
asbestos.  If asbestos is not handled properly during a renovation or
demolition, it can present a huge risk to public health, as well as
cause the site to become contaminated.  Through the Route 66 Initiative
we are providing technical assistance to communities to ensure that
asbestos is dealt with safely and properly and, if there is
contamination, find ways to help the community clean up the site."

Owens noted that as part of the asbestos initiative, ADEQ has designated
an outreach specialist in its air-quality division to provide technical
assistance, outreach and asbestos education to rural communities.   "We
want local officials to contact us if they have any questions about
potential asbestos problems in their communities," Owens said.  "We also
want them to alert us about any improper demolition or renovation
activities that can present a risk of asbestos exposure to people." 

The seminars are designed for contractors but are open to anyone seeking
information about compliance with the asbestos regulations.

-30-

News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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