Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 10/19/04

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Jeffrey W. Holtzman

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

District Attorney Obtains Conviction and $10,000 Fine in Asbestos Case

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that a Windsor building contractor pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor violation of the state’s air pollution laws for exposing workers to asbestos during a renovation job in Healdsburg in November, 2003. R. Nordby Builders, Inc., owned by Robert Nordby, was placed on probation for 14 months, ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, $1,500 costs to the Northern Sonoma Air Pollution Control District and $509 costs to the Healdsburg Fire Department. The company is also required to pay for medical screening to three employees who were exposed to asbestos during the construction activity.

Mr. Passalacqua stated, "Asbestos exposure is a serious public health problem. It is incumbent upon all who work around this dangerous material to be especially careful to avoid improper releases. We will continue to work closely with public safety and health officials to underscore the importance of compliance with air pollution laws in Sonoma County."

R. Nordby Builders, Inc., was charged with negligently releasing an air contaminant when it violated a local air board rule (Rule 492-40 CFR 6.145(c)(1) ) requiring the proper removal of asbestos prior to conducting construction activity. These are misdemeanor violations. The violation was the first by the company according to local officials.

The case was heard before Sonoma County Superior Court Commissioner Lawrence Ornell. Inspectors George Erdman and Alex Saschin of the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District referred the matter to the District Attorney’s Office. The Healdsburg Fire Department assisted in the initial response and subsequent investigation by the air district and District Attorney investigator Jim Shrum. Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey W. Holtzman represented the People in the prosecution of this case.