Those in construction and related fields are invited to a multi-agency workshop on Wednesday that will address such issues as radon, lead and asbestos, storm water permit requirements and how to deal with the waste left behind by illicit meth production.

Maggie Carson, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, said the workshop is also good for maintenance workers, home inspectors, building code officials and anyone with plans to build or remodel commercial real estate.

Carson said this workshop series, to be held at sites across the state, is the fifth of its kind. Those who attend will learn about regulatory changes, get a refresher course on existing regulations and have a chance to ask questions of the experts.

"The intent is to have somebody there if issues or questions come up," she said. "These are things you should know even if you are only buying or selling real estate, especially commercial real estate."

Carson said that in construction and related activities, addressing regulations and requirements on the front end is far more economical than fixing them after the fact.

"With asbestos, for example, if a contractor or someone gets in and disturbs the asbestos, then they have contaminated a wider area," she said. "Then they have to fix that as well as address the asbestos abatement."

There is also a section outlining the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program. Experts will be on hand from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, IEPA, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and OSHA. For a schedule of topics and more information, visit www.ienconnect.com/enviro.

In Southern Illinois, the all-day workshop is scheduled for Wednesday at John A. Logan College. The $35 fee includes lunch. The next event is set for the Gateway Center in Collinsville on Thursday, Feb. 1.

andrea.hahn@thesouthern.com

(618) 351-5076