Florida Department of Environmental Protection reports indicate the Big Wheel construction and debris facility has been crushing asbestos debris, sending the fibers into the air.
The Big Wheel private landfill is located adjacent to the county’s Steelfield Landfill near West Bay.
Inhalation of asbestos fibers is linked with incurable respiratory diseases.
Local environmentalist Rosalie Shaffer says the DEP isn't doing its job.
"It's a concern any time an agency, entrusted by the public, isn't following the rules we have, because we all know the rules aren't perfect, so if they're not even following those that's a grave concern," says Shaffer.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, or PEER, released the DEP reports, which show asbestos violations dating back to 2002.
The group is now filing asbestos enforcement complaints with OSHA and the DEP headquarters.
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