Elgin cited these instances where contractors suffered the consequences of being without pollution coverage even though their exposure was incidental:

	An excavator unknowingly removed soil contaminated with dioxin and stockpiled it on adjacent property. The EPA forced him to acquire the property and construct a containment system costing a total of $250,000.
	A mechanical contractor who incorrectly installed a HVAC system in a new office building that produced toxic mold and mildew faced claims in excess of $100,000.
	A contractor etching the exterior of a commercial building using muriatic acid allowed fumes to enter the structure. Chrome fixtures were ruined resulting in $75,000 damage.
	A major thunderstorm caused the tack coat of an asphalt parking lot to wash off into a nearby stream. Cleanup costs, which the contractor had to pay, exceeded $200,000.
	A flooring contractor reconditioning a tile floor had to pay $25,000 in defense costs and bodily injury claims because of toxic vapor inhalation by a third party who breathed in fumes from sealants.
	A bridge construction contractor was liable for a $300,000 property damage claim for lead paint chips and dust generated by a subcontractor performing abrasive sandblasting of a bridge in a residential area.