EPD Investigating Asbestos Allegation in Rossville

Georgia's Environmental Protection Division is investigating a large property in Rossville for asbestos.

Asbestos is used to fireproof insulating materials, but research also shows that asbestos is highly toxic. Now, the E-P-D tells us they're investigating a complaint that workers are removing asbestos from a Rossville property without a permit, and that has some people who live in the area worried.

Trucks leave the old Peerless Mill in Rossville - the property now under investigation by Georgia's Environmental Protection Division for asbestos.

"It's in my back door," James Guy says as he looks at the property in question. "Does that make it even scarier?" we ask. "It sure does," he responds.

James Guy has lived behind the property for 25 years and says at one point he worked there for three years.

"It needs to go if it's over there, it needs to get out," Guy says.

The director of Georgia's E-P-D Asbestos Removal Program tells us an inspector, acting on a tip, drove to the property last week, but was denied access. So this week the E-P-D obtained a warrant and went in today to collect samples of material being removed.

The E-P-A's website says exposure to airborne asbestos may result in a potential health risks including,

Asbestosis - a non-cancer disease of the lungs. Asbestos can also cause Lung cancer, and Mesothelioma - a rare cancer in the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and the heart.

"My lungs are kind of important to me you know, your in take of that stuff can scratch you lungs, scar your lungs up, it's just a bad thing," Guy says.

A bad thing that sent us in search of the property's owners today. We called a number listed on the side of the building and left two messages.

And while the E-P-D continues to investigate the property, Guy says his family will take extra steps to make sure they stay safe.

"I guess my family will wear masks if we're around over there, for years there ain't no telling what we took in," Guy says.

The EPD is now testing the samples that they pulled from the property and depending on what they find the owner could face citations or fines.

We did end up speaking with the owner of the property, Les Coffee, and he says, "The Peerless site strives to be a good citizen of Walker County and metro Chattanooga. I can confirm that the Georgia EPD has opened an investigation into Asbestos removal at the site. The area in question is a very small confined area that consist of less than 1% of the total area of the building and effects no one in the public or tenants. It is our position and strong belief that no environmental violations have occurred on the site and that in dues process the investigation will be resolved in our favor."