John Edward Callahan, Asbestos Removal Violation, Virginia 2007

Roanoke Contractor Jailed for Reckless Asbestos Removal

ROANOKE, VA – John Edward Callahan, 55, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison on August 1, 2007, after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Air Act (CAA) in connection with the dangerously negligent removal of asbestos from the State and City Building in Roanoke. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division, revealed a pattern of cost-cutting measures that put both workers and the public at significant risk of asbestos exposure.

In February 2005, Callahan’s Environmental Construction was contracted to remove asbestos-containing materials during renovations of the Roanoke building. Instead of employing certified professionals, Callahan knowingly hired three homeless men, providing them with minimal and inadequate safety equipment – two-piece hooded rain suits, gloves, goggles, and half-face respirators. These measures proved insufficient, particularly as workers routinely removed respirators to eat and drink within the contaminated zone. He specifically instructed the men to cut and break the asbestos materials *without* first wetting them, a crucial step to suppress dangerous airborne dust, in direct violation of federal regulations.

The investigation detailed how Callahan directed the untrained workers to use knives and hacksaws to dismantle the asbestos, creating substantial friable dust that permeated the building’s basement. This airborne asbestos posed a serious health threat, with potential for long-term respiratory illness. The resulting waste was then carelessly disposed of in unmarked garbage bags, lacking proper sealing or warning labels, and deposited at a local landfill without informing authorities of its hazardous nature. The landfill *did* have a designated area for asbestos disposal, but the waste was not directed there due to Callahan’s failure to identify it as hazardous material.

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Cleanup Costs & Legal Ramifications

The extent of Callahan’s negligence became clear when another company had to be hired to properly remediate the site, incurring a cost of $21,000. Callahan was initially indicted on five counts of violating 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) of the Clean Air Act in September 2006. He ultimately pled guilty to one count in February 2007. In addition to his 21-month prison sentence, Callahan received a 36-month period of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee. No fines were levied.

Key Facts

Defendant: John Edward Callahan
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Crime: Illegal and unsafe asbestos removal
Victims: Workers, public health
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) – Clean Air Act
Penalty: 21 months imprisonment, 36 months supervised release, $100 assessment.
Remediation Cost: $21,000

The EPA’s pursuit of this case underscores the agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and protecting public health. “This case demonstrates the serious consequences of disregarding environmental laws and putting workers and communities at risk,” stated a Department of Justice press release issued following the sentencing. The collaborative effort between the EPA, Roanoke Police Department, and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry was critical in bringing Callahan to justice.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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