Michigan needs more asbestos inspectors but doesn’t have the funding to pay for them.
The audit says the asbestos program has fallen behind in inspections and follow-up reports on projects that require asbestos removal. If it’s not done right, the public is at risk from cancer-causing fibers being released into the air.
Melanie Brown of the state Department of Environmental Quality says the reason for the backlog is simple: Cities are getting more aggressive in tearing down, old abandoned buildings.
“We’ve seen in this state an increase in the amount of demolitions of blighted properties.”
Brown says that means more inspectors are needed to keep up with the work. She says the DEQ is trying to fix the problems while working on funding ideas to present to the Legislature.