Pinellas County, FL — The Risks of Uncontained Asbestos Exposure in Florida Neighborhoods

Pinellas County, FL (April 22nd, 2025) – Asbestos exposure is a real concern in some Florida neighborhoods. Residents at Sun Retreats Dunedin, an RV and mobile home park, were shocked to find a construction dumpster filled with asbestos-containing debris parked just feet from their homes. 

Asbestos doesn’t grab headlines often, but it should. It’s still a danger, especially during renovations or recovery work. The dumpster in the Sun Retreats Dunedin community is part of a post-hurricane demolition project. Several older mobile homes, damaged by recent storms, are getting torn down. The debris from these homes, some of it containing asbestos, is dumped right next to occupied lots.

Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure in Residential Areas

Most people associate asbestos with old buildings or industrial job sites. However, it doesn’t take a full-scale demolition to turn it into a health threat. The risk comes from disturbance – any time asbestos-containing materials are broken, cut, or moved without proper containment.

That can happen during storm cleanup. It can happen when older mobile homes are torn down. It can even happen when contractors place debris in the wrong type of dumpster or skip basic safety steps.

Residents at Sun Retreats Dunedin say the asbestos dumpster in their community looks anything but secure. The exterior is rusted with visible holes in its sides. A warning label noting the risks of asbestos is on the dumpster, but residents say it wasn’t clearly visible until recently. Further, the container is covered with a plastic sheet, held down by duct tape. However, it wasn’t properly sealed for weeks, and with the constant coastal breeze, residents say the sheet often lifted. 

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Asbestos exposure has been linked to several serious and often fatal illnesses. The danger lies in when the microscopic fibers are released into the air. Once inhaled, these fibers can become lodged in the lungs or other parts of the body, triggering long-term damage. 

The most well-known condition is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. There’s also asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that causes scarring of lung tissue and makes it difficult to breath. Exposure can also increase the risk of lung cancer, even among non-smokers, and lead to pleural plaques or fluid buildup around the lungs.

Illnesses resulting from asbestos exposure often don’t appear immediately. Symptoms may take 10 to 40 years to surface. This delay in the onset of symptoms makes early prevention and strict safety measures critical, especially in residential areas where people may not even realize they’re at risk.

What Enhances the Spread Risk?

In communities like Sun Retreats Dunedin, where homes are packed tightly together, one person’s exposure risk can quickly become everyone’s. Factors that may exacerbate and spread the risk of asbestos exposure include:

• Asbestos fibers are microscopic. They can stay airborne for hours and travel far beyond the immediate work zone.
• There is no safe level of exposure. Even brief or low-level contact has been linked to long-term illness.
• The effects don’t show up right away. Diseases like mesothelioma can decades to develop, which makes early prevention critical.

Due to the container appearing to be in disrepair, and the lack of a proper seal, residents are concerned whether hazardous fibers have already escaped the dumpster.

What Should Property Owners and Contractors Know About Asbestos in Florida?

Florida has detailed regulations governing how asbestos is handled, removed, and disposed of. These rules are designed to protect both workers and the public, especially when asbestos is disturbed during demolition, renovation, or storm cleanup projects. When ignored, they open the door to serious health consequences and legal liability.

Who Regulates Asbestos in Florida?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) oversees most asbestos-related activities at the state level. On a federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also enforce rules to limit exposure. Any contractor working with asbestos must be licensed and follow both state and federal guidelines.

According to county officials, the Air Quality Division is actively monitoring the ongoing asbestos abatement and demolition of the homes within Sun Retreats Dunedin. The county noted in a public statement that the project has been “largely in compliance” with federal air safety standards and local code. Inspectors reportedly addressed the condition of the asbestos waste container during a routine inspection on March 28th and again on April 15th, after a resident raised concerns.

Notification Requirement Before Work Begins

In Florida, contractors must submit an asbestos notification form to the FDEP before beginning any renovation or demolition that could disturb asbestos-containing materials. Such notice will include providing specific details about the type of material, how it will be removed, and how it will be contained and transported. 

Failure to notify the state is more than a paperwork issue, it’s a potential violation of state and federal laws.

Disposal Rules for Asbestos Waste

Once removed, asbestos must be placed in sealed, leak-tight containers clearly labeled with hazard warnings. These containers should then be transported directly to approved landfills. Florida law does not allow contractors to store asbestos waste for convenience. Doing so may constitute negligence, as well as regulatory noncompliance.

The dumpster causing concern for Sun Retreats Dunedin residents belongs to JES Abatement Inc., a Plant City-based contractor handling the demolition. A representative from the company confirmed ownership, and stated that while the dumpster complies with safety regulations, it will be moved due to the recent complaints. The call, however, ended abruptly before further details were shared. A regional VP for Sun Retreats later confirmed it would be relocated within the property laster this week, and removed entirely by next week. Still, residents remain skeptical, as they have been told the asbestos abatement container would be moved sooner.

When Legal Action Becomes an Option

If you’re exposed to asbestos because someone failed to follow proper procedures, you may have a legal claim. Those who may be held financially responsible include contractors, waste companies, or property owners who create unsafe conditions.

You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to take action. Exposure alone, especially if it causes emotional distress or increases long-term health risks, may justify legal steps.

The short- and long-term effects of asbestos exposure can take a physical, emotional, and financial toll. At Light & Wyatt Law Group, our dedicated premises liability lawyers can help those who have suffered such exposure explore their options, which may include filing a civil lawsuit for compensatory damages. To discuss your case, contact our firm today at 727-499-9900.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association