PRINEVILLE, OR -- A Prineville business has been fined for allegedly performing unlicensed asbestos abatement work at its own facility. Oregon’s DEQ issued the $6,600 penalty because Contact Industries employees allegedly removed flooring from the building on North Main Street.

The company notified the DEQ after testing showed the vinyl flooring contained asbestos. A licensed abatement contractor was then hired to decontaminate the affected area. The DEQ says the company violated state law by mishandling asbestos-containing material.

Asbestos fibers are a respiratory hazard proven to cause lung cancer and other health problems.