CENTRAL ABATEMENT CO., INC. OPERATED AN ASBESTOS ABATEMENT COMPANY BASED IN ARDMORE, PENNSYLVANIA WHICH CONTRACTED AND PERFORMED ASBESTOS REMOVAL ACTIVITIES AT THE OLD VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL FACILITY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. THE FACILITY CONSISTED OF SEVERAL BUILDINGS WHICH WERE TO BE DEMOLISHED AFTER ASBESTOS REMOVAL WAS COMPLETED. BOTH THE ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND THE REMAINING DEMOLITION HAVE SINCE BEEN COMPLETED. * REGION 6 EPA SENT INSPECTORS TO THE ASBESTOS REMOVAL ACTIVITIES AT THE HOSPITAL FACILITY ON 8/21/91. THEY FOUND: 1. FAILURE TO WET ASBESTOS DURING REMOVAL UNTIL CONTAINED IN LEAK-TIGHT CONTAINERS AS REQUIRED BY 40 CFR 61.145(C), AND A RELEASE OF VISIBLE ASBESTOS CONTAINING EMISSIONS TO THE OUTSIDE AIR IN VIOLATION OF 40 CFR 61.150(A). EPA FILED AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT UNDER SECTION 113(D) OF THE ACT ON 5/20/92 CITING CENTRAL FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE ASBESTOS NESHAP WORK PRACTICE STANDARDS, AND SEEKING CIVIL PENALTIES OF $33,000. * EPA WAS UNAWARE WHEN IT FILED ITS COMPLAINT THAT CENTRAL HAD ALREADY FILED FOR CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT O