Air Quality: Asbestos / Building Materials /Management Procedures

Materials and Products that Contain Asbestos:

Asbestos has been used commercially in this country since about 1880. A naturally occurring mineral, it became a popular product because it is non-combustible and resistant to corrosion, and has a high tensile strength and low electrical conductivity. These qualities, combined with its relatively low cost, have resulted in the production of an estimated 3,600 different products containing asbestos. Also, there were several major and many minor manufacturers of asbestos products in the United States, resulting in a number of product variations.

Asbestos products including asbestos pipeline wrap, vinyl/asbestos tile, asbestos mill board, asbestos clothing, corrugated and flat asbestos cement sheeting, asbestos roof felt, and asbestos cement shingles continue to be manufactured in the United States. Therefore, asbestos is, and will continue to be, a component of various industrial waste streams and a contaminant of industrial areas and industrial waste sites.

Following is a listing of suspect asbestos-containing materials. It does not include every product/material that may contain asbestos, but is intended as a general guide to show various types of materials that may contain asbestos. The amount of asbestos in these products varies widely (from approximately 1 percent to nearly 100 percent) and cannot always be accurately determined from labels or by asking the manufacturer. Positive identification of asbestos cannot be ascertained merely by visual examination. The services of a qualified laboratory must be used to analyze representative samples of suspect materials to confirm asbestos content.

 

Cement Pipes HVAC Duct Insulation Asphalt Floor Tile Ductwork Flexible Fabric Cooling Towers Heating and Electrical Ducts Decorative Plaster Textured Paints/Coatings Chalkboards Taping Compounds (thermal) Base Flashing High Temperature Gaskets Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops Wallboard Fire Curtains Elevator Brake Shoes Cement Siding Breeching Insulation Vinyl Sheet Flooring Connections Construction Mastics (floor tile, Pipe Insulation [corrugated carpet, ceiling tile, etc.] air cell, block, etc.) Electrical Cloth Electrical Wiring Insulation

Blow-in Insulation Fireproofing materials Packing Materials (for wall/floor Thermal Paper Products penetrations) Adhesives Fire Blankets Vinyl Wall Coverings Spackling Compounds Cement Wallboard Boiler Insulation Vinyl Floor Tile Flooring Backing Acoustical Plaster Electrical Panel Partitions Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels Spray-Applied Insulation Roofing Shingles Roofing Felt Fire Doors Caulking/Putties Laboratory Gloves Joint Compounds Elevator Equipment Panels

 

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Building Activities, which might disturb asbestos:

There are numerous building activities, which involve disturbing asbestos containing materials that could put people at risk, and which could potentially result in liability and/or regulatory enforcement actions. Typical activities, which might disturb asbestos, are described below

 

• Renovations,where building materials or components are altered or removed
• Demolition of buildings or structural supports
• Maintenance on boilers, piping, and VAC systems
• Maintenance on equipment in and around ceilings
• Cable installation, replacement or maintenance
• Flooring removal or repair
• Roofing removal or repair
• Ceiling tile maintenance or repair
• Painting, repair or cleaning of spray-applied acoustical coatings or texture

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Asbestos Management Procedures:

Proper asbestos management procedures should be followed before beginning any activity, which might disturb materials containing asbestos:

A written asbestos survey is required before demolition of a building (removal of any load bearing, structural supports), before building renovations (this includes maintenance on various building systems). These materials could either be coated or covered with asbestos containing materials. Only a licensed asbestos consultant can perform asbestos surveys in the State of Florida. Only licensed asbestos contractors may remove asbestos-containing materials. All Regulated Asbestos-Containing Materials (RACM) must be removed from buildings, prior to demolition activities. Licenser as an asbestos contractor is not required for removal of certain types of material. You must contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ( DBPR ) if you have questions about any asbestos license exemptions. Written notification is required to be mailed ten (10) working days prior to any demolition, and ten (10) working days prior to removal of any Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM). Notifications are required to be mailed to the Environmental Protection Program responsible for the geographic area in question. In Pinellas County you must send the notification to:

 

Air Quality
509 East Avenue South, Ste. 138
Clearwater, Florida 33756
727- 464-4422

 

All records of asbestos related activities including asbestos survey reports, asbestos removal specifications, contractual agreements, asbestos regulations, and disposal manifests should be maintained on file indefinitely. In Pinellas County, a written asbestos survey report must be available on-site during any renovation activity. In addition, Pinellas County requires a copy of the asbestos survey report accompany the written notification for demolition operations. Under no circumstances should untrained, uncertified, or non-licensed individuals handle asbestos containing materials. No person shall cannibalize any equipment, or building components prior to having a complete written asbestos survey, and a determination that an asbestos hazard is not present on the equipment, or building component(s) that will be affected. Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM) must be removed prior to the demolition of a building or structure, or any activity that may breakup, or disturb the RACM.