03/39/91: SYNOPSIS OF CASE: LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOSIPTAL IS A PUBLIC HOSIPTAL LOCATED IN THE LAKE CHARLES LA WHICH IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY SOUTHWEST LA HOSIPITAL ASSOC INC. DURING OCT 10, THRU NOV 11, 1988, LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOSIPTAL CONDUCTED A RENOVATION OPERATION AT THE FACILITY WH WHICH INVOLVED THE REMOVAL OF FRIABLE ASBESTOS PIPE INSULAT- ION. THIS REMOVAL OPERATION WAS BEGUN BY A GENERAL CONTRACT OR WITH OUT ANY ASBESTOS NESHAP NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS BEING MET. WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS WERE BEING REMOVED IN THIS OPERATION, THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR CEASED OPERATIONS & CONTACTED AN ASBESTOS ABATE- MENT CONTRACTOR, THERMO TECH, INC., TO COMPLETE THE REMOVAL OF THE ACM. ABESTOSIS A KNOWN ENVIRONMENTAL CARCINOGEN THAT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS IRREVERSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS AND EVEN DEATH TO INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS FIBERS. CONSEQUENTLY, ASBESTOS HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR AS A HAZ- ARDOUS AIR POLLUTANT & COVERED UNDER SEC. 112 OF THE CAA, NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZ AIR POLLUTANTS (NESHAP). THE REGUALATIONS THAT GOVERN THE ASBESTOS NESHAP ARE CONTAIN ED IN 40 C.F.R PART 61, SUBPART M, SECTIONS 61.140 THRU 61.1 56. THE VIOLATIONS WERE: FAILURE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO DEMOLISH/RENOVATE, FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY WET ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL (ACM) TO ENSURE IT REMAINS WET UNTIL COLLECTED FOR DISPOSAL, FAILURE