Asbestos Methods & Materials

Over View What is Asbestos? Common Sources Why look for it? What to look for? Community Concerns

Regulation’s Equipment How to handle ACM’s Safety Practices Environmental

What is Asbestos?

• 6 Naturally occurring fibrous minerals• Broken down into 2 groups:– Amphibole-straight rod like fibers– Serpentine-easier to wet

Asbestos Types

• Friable – Crumbled with hand pressure– More likely to become airborne– Regulated by all agencies

• Non-friable– Typically bound within a matrix– Regulated by OSHA, MPCA

Definition of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)

• Greater than 1% by weight of Asbestos• Only Detected using – Polarized Light Microscopy or,– Electron Microscopy

Properties of Asbestos

• Tensile strength of steel• Heat resistant• Water resistant• Chemical resistant• Non-conductive of electrical current• Aerodynamic• Breaks down to fibers smaller than bacteria– 1 cu. in of Asbestos = 15 Million Miles

Common Building Use

• Heating/Cooling System Insulation• Electrical System Insulation• Structural Fireproofing• Sound Attenuation• Flooring and Mastics• Roofing Materials• Gaskets• Cooling Towers• Waste piping

Non- Suspect MaterialsConcreteGlassFiberglassMetal WoodStyrofoamNeoprene

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure:

• The construction industry • Buildings built before 1985• Building demolition • Renovation activities• Some automotive parts (Brake pads, clutches)• Pipe & furnace insulation• Vermiculite Insulation• Among many others

Why look for it?

• Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of asbestosis, other nonmalignant lung disorders, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers.

• OSHA established regulations dealing with asbestos exposure on the job, specifically in construction work.

What to look for…

• Because asbestos fibers are microscopic (about 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair), the presence or absence of asbestos fibers cannot be determined by sight alone

What to look for…

• If you don't know whether construction materials contain asbestos, assume they do until laboratory testing proves otherwise

• Especially if the materials are crumbling, peeling, cracking, water-stained or blistering.

What to look for…

• Sprayed-on or troweled-on surfacing materials (such as plaster, popcorn ceilings, etc.)• Insulation around pipes, boilers, ducts or hot water tanks• Attic and wall insulation• Floor tiles (asphalt, rubber etc.) & the backing materials used to install tiles (Mastic)

What to look for Cont…

• Window Caulking and Glazing• Ductwork• There are many applications in which ACM’s were used • If you are unsure about a material ASK a supervisor.• Supervisor should consult a Testing Company to verify if it is an ACM.

A History of ACM’s

• A.C.M.’s= Asbestos Containing Materials• Was highly valued for its nearly indestructible nature, fireproofing qualities, and lightweight fibrous nature• From mid 1800’s to the mid 1980s, asbestos was

used in over 3000 building products

A history of ACM’s

• Usage increased in buildings and other items through early to mid 1900’s

A History of ACM’s

• These products become dangerous when they are damaged, decayed, crumbled, or likely to let asbestos fibers escape into the air where they can be inhaled.

• Some of these products have been banned by federal law• Some products replaced by other materials• Some remain legally produced today

Regulation of Asbestos• OSHA

– Protects Workers (0.1 f/cc 8 hr TWA)– Defines Abatement Methods

• EPA– NESHAPS (no visible emissions)

• National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants

– AHERA (Schools)– Inspect prior to renovation/demolition– Transport and Disposal of ACM

• Department of Health– Licensing – Establishes Abatement Methods– Regulates Friable asbestos abatement over 160 sf 260 ln– Indoor Air Quality standards (0.01 f/cc)

Communication of Hazards

Building/Facility owner responsibility to determine: – 1) Presence– 2)Location– 3)Quantity

• Of all ACM’s or PACM’s’ prior to any work being done. Notification shall either be in writing or a personal

communication between owner and the person/organization to be notified

Who to call?

• Building owner• Facility owner• Owners Rep• Why?• Their responsibility to determine:

– Presence– Location– Quantity

• Physical Asbestos Report/Investigation/Survey• Before any work is done on the building• Ask. to see the report if there is a concern.• Violating Asbestos related rules is a pricey mistake!

How We Handle ACM’s…

• Observe and Maintain• Encapsulate (bridging and penetrating)• Enclose• Repair (cast wrap)• Remove / Abate– Keep Non-Friable material non friable–Wet, contain friable material

Abatement Methods• Glove Bag/Wrap

and Cut– <25 ln ft/room– <10 sq ft/room

• Seal tight enclosure

• Wet methods• Vacuum collapsed• Adjacent air

monitoring

Full Enclosure Construction

• Critical barriers over all openings to Work Area and porous surfaces

• (2) Layers of poly over HVAC System• 5-Stage Decontamination Chamber: Clean Room, Air Lock,

Shower, Air Lock, Dirty Room• (2) Layers of Floor Poly• (1) Layer of Wall Poly• Asbestos Hazard Warning Signs at approaches• HEPA Filtered Negative Air Machines

– 4 Air Changes per Hour– Outside exhaust preferred

Air Monitoring for Asbestos Abatement

• Phase Contrast Microscopy– Counts all fibers

• Worker exposure <0.1 f/cc– Engineering controls

• Wet methods• Air movement

– Respiratory protection• Adjacent Air Monitoring during

abatement– <0.01 f/cc at all time

• Visual Inspection after abatement• Aggressive Final Air Clearance

– Box fans, leaf blower– <0.01 f/cc PCM

Disposal

• Clear labeled bags– Double bagged– Goose necked – Sealed

• Labeled drums• Must be wet• Certified Landfill– Buried within 24 hrs

• Waste Manifest– Generator, Contractor, Hauler

Actual Projects Pictures

Actual Projects Pictures

Actual Projects Pictures

Actual Projects Pictures

Questions/Comments?Feel free to contact us!

An Environmental Contractor

www.sterlingsystems.biz

Call us at: 808-635-5861NCM Group Hawaii: 808-680-0020