The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being misled by reports that endorse an asbestos removal technique that is both a sham and a danger to public health and safety, so says an urgent letter to the EPA administrator from Public Justice and seven environmental, public interest advocacy and trade organizations.

The groups' May 19th letter, spearheaded by Public Justice Environmental Enforcement Director Jim Hecker, raises red flags about reports vouching for the asbestos abatement method commonly called the "wet method," in which the asbestos is hosed down with water as a structure is demolished.

The letter noted that EPA staff reviews of the draft have uncovered "factual errors, failures to follow EPA procedures, and apparent inconsistences with EPA regulations and policies."  Yet, the agency's Office of Research and Development "is still pushing the [wet] method," the letter says.

Read the full letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.