Asbestos. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 What Is Asbestos? Group of natural minerals Still mined in some countries Long, thin, and strong fibrous.

Asbestos

http://www.blr.com/

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606

What Is Asbestos?•Group of natural

minerals•Still mined in some

countries •Long, thin, and strong

fibrous crystals•Resistant to heat and

corrosive chemicals•“Miracle fiber”


Asbestos Facts6 types

3 most common in products:•Chrysotile•Amosite•Crocidolite


Why was it used?• Fire and heat resistance

• Spray-applied fireproofing• Heat resistant clothing & gloves/textiles• Gaskets, brake pads, etc.

• Insulation qualities (thermal & acoustic)• Pipe, duct, tank insulation• Sound board, acoustic panels, acoustic ceiling tiles and sprays


Uses cont.•Chemical resistance

• Fume hoods• Lab table tops• Cement panels/pipes

•Adds “tensile” strength• Flooring materials (tile/sheeting)• Plaster/stucco, joint compound


Uses cont.•Adds durability

• Roofing materials• Flooring materials• Paint• Asbestos cement panels/pipes

•Assists in application of other products• Any spray-applied product• Trowelled-on plasters and adhesives• Mudded elbows or junctions on piping or trowelled-on insulation


Health Hazard•No health risk when asbestos materials

are intact•Potential inhalation hazard from damaged

asbestos materials•Airborne fibers are usually microscopic


Health effects

•Most asbestos-related disease results from long-term (often heavy) exposure to asbestos.

• Common occupations with long-term exposures:

• fabricators, insulators, construction (carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, bricklaying)


Asbestos RegulationsStarted in 1972, involved phaseout program

Included:•Ban on many applications of asbestos•Regulations on removal, transport and disposal•Regulations regarding protection of workers•Regulations regarding protection of K-12, public buildings


Friable Asbestos •Any ACM which can

be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure.

•Friable materials:

• Pipe insulation• Insulating boards• Insulating textiles


Non-friable Asbestos•Any ACM which, in its current state, cannot be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure.

(includes ceiling and floor tiles, caulking)

•Non-Friable asbestos can become Friable w/:- Water or heat damage- Age or natural deterioration- Mechanical disturbance

(sanding/abrading/cutting/grinding, etc.)


In-Place Management•EPA recommends an in-place

management program•Removal may create hazards.

•Repair as needed.

•Removal is required only during building demolition or renovation

•Avoiding disturbance is ideal!


EPA AHERA Program (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act)

Enacted in 1986 to protect K-12Requires:•Asbestos management plan•Includes management in place•Specific controls and abatement practices

•Regular inspections•Parental notification of any abatement activities and annual notification regarding the availability of the plan


NESHAP National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (EPA Rule)

Applies to buildings and structures regardless of age of construction.

Is triggered for:•All building demolitions•Any renovation where the following is disturbed:•Greater or equal to: 160 sq ft of regulated ACM•Greater or equal to: 260 linear ft of regulated pipe

insulation


NESHAP cont.Requires:

•Inspection and development of report•Notification (10 working days)•Work practices•Waste management•Training


Cal-OSHA considerations•Asbestos workers: Ensure proper work practices/training/supervision

•Occupant and non-asbestos contractor safety


Location of asbestos on campus

•Asbestos-containing materials can be found in many campus buildings constructed prior to 1980.

•Sampling of campus buildings for asbestos completed in 1994 and during TII Project.


Management of remodeling projects and maintenance

EH&S reviews all remodeling/demolition plans

Facilities Management Project Managers are provided with training


EHS/Fac Mgmt requirementsPrior to abatement • Arrange for sample collection and analysis as necessary

• Review lab results to determine which materials contain asbestos

• Review abatement needs with Certified Asbestos Abatement contractor


ResponsibilitiesDuring abatement

•Contractors must meet/exceed all EPA and OSHA requirements

•Work scheduled during off hours whenever possible

•All work must be under containment • Building HVAC system is isolated• Room kept under negative pressure• All air leaving the room is filtered

• Limited access


ResponsibilitiesDuring abatement cont.

Ensure that:•off-hours employees are

notified•signage & posted material

is maintained•Containment and negative

pressure is maintained


Clearance sampling/analysis• Air samples are collected by a certified consultant at the end of the abatement work. • Air samples are analyzed by an certified laboratory.

Clearance is achieved:•PCM: analysis that reads all fibers

Clearance level: <.01 fibers/cc•TEM: analysis that reads only asbestos fibers

Clearance level: <70 structures/cc

Asbestos. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 What Is Asbestos? Group of natural minerals Still mined in some countries Long, thin, and strong fibrous.

Documents

sprays business legal

plan business legal

asbestos regulationsstarted

caulkingnonfriable asbestos

asbestos facts6 types

friable materials

friable w

nonfriable asbestosany