Asbestos

Asbestos-containing material became a high profile public concern after federal legislation known as AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) was enacted in 1987.  AHERA requires that all schools be inspected for asbestos-containing building materials, and that appropriate management plans be developed.

  It is known that asbestos fibers increase the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.  If the asbestos-containing material is damaged and friable (meaning it crumbles under hand pressure) then it is advisable to have the asbestos-containing material abated.  If the asbestos-containing material is not friable (for example, vinyl asbestos floor tiles or asbestos-shingle siding) or is friable but undamaged, then the EPA currently recommends that you leave the asbestos-containing material alone.

Abatement of asbestos-containing material means that is should be repaired, removed, enclosed, or included in an Operations and Maintenance plan.  Repair, removal, or enclosure of asbestos-containing material should only be performed by trained and licensed asbestos abatement contractors.  A general contractor's license is not sufficient.  Asbestos abatement contractors have to be specifically trained in asbestos handling and disposal procedures.

EPA Facts About Asbestos

The EPA includes the following five facts in their book: Managing Asbestos in Place • A Building Owner's Guide to Operations and Maintenance Programs for Asbestos-Containing Materials.

Note that this is an excerpt, and you should read the whole book before drawing conclusions.

• FACT ONE:  Although asbestos is hazardous, the risk of asbestos-related disease depends upon exposure to airborne asbestos.  In other words, an individual must breathe asbestos fibers in order to incur any chance of developing an asbestos-related disease.  How many fibers a person must breathe to develop disease is uncertain.  However, at very low exposure levels, the risk may be negligible or zero.
• FACT TWO:  Based on available data, the average airborne asbestos levels in buildings seem to be very low.  Accordingly, the health risk to most building occupants also appears to be very low.
• FACT THREE:  Removal is often not a building owner's best course of action to reduce asbestos exposure. In fact, an improper removal can create a dangerous situation where none previously existed.  By their nature, asbestos removals tend to elevate the airborne level of asbestos fibers.  Unless safeguards are properly applied, a removal operation can actually increase rather than decrease the risk of asbestos related disease.
• FACT FOUR:  EPA only requires asbestos removal in order to prevent significant public exposure to airborne asbestos fibers during building demolition or renovation projects.
• FACT FIVE:  EPA and OSHA recommend a proactive, in-place management program whenever asbestos-containing material is discovered.  Management of asbestos in-place means having a program to ensure that the day-to-day management of the building minimizes release of asbestos fibers into the air, and ensures that if asbestos fibers are released, either accidentally or intentionally, proper control and cleanup procedures are implemented.

For information on asbestos-containing building materials, visit the EPA asbestos web site , EPA Asbestos and indoor air quality web site .   For information on asbestos in the home, visit the EPA asbestos in the home web site .  You can also search the EPA web site for additional information.

Heimer Engineering can advise you as to whether certain materials are suspected of containing asbestos.  To conclusively identify the material, it is necessary to take samples and send them for laboratory analysis.  If you need an in-depth investigation of the asbestos conditions at your site, contact a firm specializing in asbestos investigations.

To setup an appointment for a home inspection or building inspection, or for more information, call 800.640.8090 or use the online form 24/7.