Proof Positive: Health inspection finds asbestos in apartment cleared by PHA

"The smaller the asbestos fiber, the longer it will stay airborne," Weltz said. "Some asbestos fibers are so small, they almost behave as a gas. . . . Asbestos is very sticky. It adheres to things, especially other fibers like clothing."

Dougherty yesterday recalled an incident at the Spring Garden Homes several years ago in which a plumber used a blowtorch to help remove asbestos insulation from a pipe inside a tenant's unit.

"The plumber was burning the pipes, trying to burn off the asbestos," Dougherty said. "It smelled like a mattress was on fire . . ."

The plumber told Dougherty that burned asbestos insulation "breaks down quicker" and "is easier to get off the pipes," according to Dougherty.

When Dougherty complained, his supervisor told him to "stop being a baby and go back in the unit and finish the job," he said.

After removing the pipe wrap, PHA workers then put the asbestos debris in trash bags and threw them out with the regular garbage, Dougherty said.

"The whole place is just reckless," Dougherty said.