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Construction Hazardous Materials Compliance Guide: Asbestos Detection, Abatement and Inspection Procedures
Construction Hazardous Materials Compliance Guide: Asbestos Detection, Abatement and Inspection Procedures
Construction Hazardous Materials Compliance Guide: Asbestos Detection, Abatement and Inspection Procedures
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Construction Hazardous Materials Compliance Guide: Asbestos Detection, Abatement and Inspection Procedures

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Disturbing asbestos materials during construction is a serious hazard that all contractors may encounter. Because of the insidious nature of the material as a health hazard, EPA regulations require that even when a structure is to be completely demolished, asbestos (and all other hazardous materials) must be removed by a qualified contractor prior to general demolition. A construction contractor contemplating abatement work needs to ascertain regulatory applicability under one of the following: OSHA-approved state program, Federal OSHA regulations (applicable to the private sector and certain federal employees) or OSHA-approved.

Construction Worksite Compliance Guide to Asbestos provides the contractors, building owners and inspectors with the current best management practices for asbestos removal and disposal methods. Packed with checklist, tables and "quick lookup" materials, this manual provides a step by step approach for identifying asbestos, complying with OSHA and EPA regulations as well as the safe disposal of asbestos.

  • Ascertain the presence of asbestos through testing
  • Prepare the abatement plan
  • Submit the plan to the state, EPA or local municipality having jurisdiction
  • Proper Waste Disposal techniques
  • Scope of work
LanguageEnglish
Release dateFeb 24, 2012
ISBN9780124158788
Construction Hazardous Materials Compliance Guide: Asbestos Detection, Abatement and Inspection Procedures
Author

R. Dodge Woodson

Author R. Dodge Woodson is a long-time gardener and master plumber. He is the author of a number of how-to books, including Storey's Watering Systems for Lawn & Garden. He lives in Maine.

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    Construction Hazardous Materials Compliance Guide - R. Dodge Woodson

    Index

    1

    What Is Asbestos?

    Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts. The Toxic Substances Control Act defines asbestos as the asbestiform varieties of chrysotile (serpentine), crocidolite (riebeckite), amosite (cummingtonite/grunerite), anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite.

    The term asbestos describes six naturally occurring fibrous minerals found in certain types of rock formations. It is a mineral compound of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and various metal cations. Of the six types, the minerals chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite have been most commonly used in building products. When mined and processed, asbestos is typically separated into very thin fibers. When these fibers are present in the air, they are normally invisible to the naked eye. Asbestos fibers are commonly mixed during processing with a material that binds them together so that they can be used in many different products. Because these fibers are so small and light, they may remain in the air for many hours if they are released from the asbestos-containing material (ACM) in a building.

    Asbestos became a popular commercial product to manufacturers and builders in the early 1900s to the 1970s. Asbestos is durable and fire retardant, resists corrosion, and insulates well. It is estimated that 3,000 different types of commercial products contain some amount of asbestos. The use of asbestos ranges from paper products and brake linings to floor tiles and thermal insulation. See Box 1.1 for key points about asbestos. Intact and undisturbed, ACM does not pose a health risk. Asbestos becomes a problem when, due to damage, disturbance, or deterioration over time, the material releases fibers into the air.

    Box 1.1 Key Points about Asbestos

    This chapter introduces some important terms used in the AHERA Rule. The designated person should be especially familiar with the following:

    Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM)—Any material or product that contains more than 1 percent asbestos.

    Asbestos-Containing Building Material (ACBM)—Surfacing ACM, thermal system insulation ACM, or miscellaneous ACM that is found in or on interior structural members or other parts of a school building.

    Friable ACBM—Material that may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Friable ACBM also includes previously nonfriable material when it becomes damaged to the extent that when dry it may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.

    Nonfriable ACBM—Material that, when dry, may not be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.

    Surfacing ACM—Interior ACM that has been sprayed on, troweled on, or otherwise applied to surfaces (e.g., structural members, walls, ceilings, etc.) for acoustical, decorative, fireproofing, or other purposes.

    Thermal System ACM—Insulation used to control heat transfer or prevent condensation on pipes and pipe fittings, boilers, breeching, tanks, ducts, and other parts of hot and cold water systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; or other mechanical systems.

    Miscellaneous ACM—Other, mostly nonfriable, products and materials (found on structural components, structural members or fixtures) such as floor tile, ceiling tile, construction mastic for floor and ceiling materials, sheet flooring, fire doors, asbestos cement pipe and board, wallboard, acoustical wall tile, and vibration damping cloth.

    Undamaged nonfriable ACBM should be treated as friable if any action performed would render these materials friable. When previously nonfriable ACBM becomes damaged to the extent that when dry it may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure, it should be treated as friable.

    Source: www.docstoc.com/docs/586090/How-to-Manage-Asbestos-in-School-Buildings-AHERA-Designated-Person-s-Self-study-Guide.

    Asbestos health effects

    If inhaled, tiny asbestos fibers can impair normal lung functions and increase the risk of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma, or asbestosis. It could take anywhere from 20 to 30 years after the first exposure for symptoms to occur. Severe health problems from exposure have been experienced by workers who held jobs in industries such as shipbuilding, mining, milling, and fabricating.

    Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may take several years to develop following exposure. If you are concerned about possible exposure, consult a physician who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist).

    Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of developing illness from asbestos exposure.

    The following are three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure:

    Asbestosis—Asbestosis is a serious, progressive, long-term noncancer disease of the lungs. It is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung tissues and cause the tissues to scar. The scarring makes it difficult for oxygen to get into the blood. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.

    Lung cancer—Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. People who work in the mining, milling, and manufacturing of asbestos and those who use asbestos and its products are more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia.

    Mesothelioma—Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart, and almost all cases are linked to exposure to asbestos. This disease may not show up until many years after asbestos exposure. This is why great efforts are being made to prevent schoolchildren from being exposed.

    Where can asbestos be found?

    Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them resistant to heat. Many products are in use today that contain asbestos. Most of these are materials used in heat and acoustic insulation, fire proofing, and roofing and flooring. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified the following asbestos product categories. Many of these materials may still be in use. Table 1.1 provides examples of such products.

    Table 1.1. Materials That May Contain Asbestos

    What should property owners do if they discover asbestos?

    The best thing to do is to leave alone any asbestos-containing material that is in good condition. If unsure whether or not the material contains asbestos, you may consider hiring a professional asbestos inspector to sample and test the material. Before you have your house remodeled, you should find out whether asbestos-containing materials are present.

    If asbestos-containing material is becoming damaged (i.e., unraveling, frayed, breaking apart), you should immediately isolate the area (keep pets and children away from the area) and refrain from disturbing the material (either by touching it or walking on it). You should then immediately contact an asbestos professional for consultation.

    It is best to receive an assessment from one firm and any needed abatement from another firm to avoid any conflict of interest. In such a scenario as described here, asbestos-containing material does not necessarily need to be removed but may rather be repaired by an asbestos professional via encapsulation or enclosure. Removal is often unnecessary.

    Laboratory Testing

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) maintains a listing of accredited asbestos laboratories under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). You may call NIST at 301-975-4016.

    How to Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos

    You can’t tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos and have it sampled and analyzed by qualified professionals. A professional should take samples for analysis because the professional knows what to look for and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released.

    In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples if you are not trained in the proper procedures is not recommended. Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed should be left alone. Only material that is damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled. Table 1.2 shows a timeline for asbestos regulations.

    Table 1.2. Timeline of Regulatory and Legislative Activities

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