In West Palm Beach, FL, authorities have accused demolition workers of violation federal and city laws by beginning work on an asbestos-laden building without proper permits.

The building in question is the so-called 1515 Tower Condo Building, which was damaged by a hurricane and scheduled to be demolished after the asbestos present in both the interior and exterior has been properly dealt with.

Now authorities say workers began to tear into the building without the proper environmental or construction approvals.

By law, workers are required to follow certain protocol in an effort to minimize exposure to asbestos, which may cause a number of potentially fatal diseases, including mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.

City and health department officials are scheduled to meet with Trinity Development Group representatives to discuss the alleged violations and how to proceed with the project, which is located at 1515 S. Flagler Drive.

The tower was known to have various asbestos-related issues, and has been vacant since 2004.

Trinity Development Group will have to remove the asbestos-tainted stucco exterior of the 30-story tower before being allowed to demolish the building.

City Construction Services Department inspectors halted work on the site after neighbors in a nearby condo alerted the authorities that workers had removed a two-story section of the building.

Workers had authorization to remove interior asbestos from tiles and ceilings, but it appears that they started days early, and were not authorized to remove the exterior section.

“By removing asbestos-containing material from the building, we believe they violated federal rules,” says Alex Ortega, the health department’s asbestos program coordinator.

“This abatement has to be conducted under wet conditions,” he added. “They have to have water. We don’t even know if that building has water available at this point, or, with the building being closed for so many years, what are the safety conditions.”

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