The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plans to fine whoever is responsible for the asbestos that is contaminating the old Fort Walton Beach Hospital.

However, a debate has ensued since the DEP can’t find out whether Okaloosa County or the nonprofit Elder Services of Okaloosa County is to blame for the egregious asbestos containment.

Asbestos Controversy

DEP officials recently met with Don Turner, the director of the county’s facility maintenance, and Ruth Lovejoy, who works as the executive director of Elder Services.

At the meeting, the three parties reportedly discussed the five “possible violations of law” that were committed at the old hospital when it was being converted into Autumn House, an assisted-living facility.

Elder Services leases the old hospital from the county to run Autumn House.

DEP Plans to Take Action

Greg Landry, from the DEP’s air program division, informed both Turner and Lovejoy that whoever is found responsible for the violations will be subject to $33,000 in fines.

Turner and Lovejoy have been asked to submit letter pleading each of their cases by December.

The two are under investigation since asbestos was reportedly illegally removed from the facility during renovations.

Reports show that asbestos is still existent at the home.

“An alarm bell has sounded,” explains Turner, “the contract was a little loose on its scope of work requirements. We need to redefine our rules so we don’t find ourselves here in the future.”

(Source: Northwest Florida Daily News)

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