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Learn about asbestos, a group of minerals still mined in some countries. Discover its uses, health hazards, regulations, and proper management practices.
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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 Facts • 6 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 Regulations • Started 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-12 • Requires: • 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