Asbestos And Asbestos Health Risks Asbestos is a mineral fiber used in over 3000 products. These products can be characterized as either friable or non-friable asbestos containing material. A friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) is one that can be crumbled, crushed or reduced into powder by hand pressure. An example of a friable ACM is pipe insulation. A non-friable ACM can not be crumbled, crushed or reduced into a powder by hand pressure. Example of non-friable ACM include exterior siding, and floor coverings such as linoleum and tiles. Many older homes contain some type of ACM. You can’t tell if a product contains asbestos by looking at it. Asbestos can only be detected by laboratory analysis. If you think that the home may contain some ACM and the home is set for remodeling or demolition, DPH recommends having the home inspected by a CT licensed Asbestos Inspector or Management Planner to identify all areas containing ACM. Examples of materials which may contain asbestos: - Floor Covering and Adhesives
- Boilers
- Pipe Insulation
- Roof Flashing
- Roof Shingles
- Exterior Siding
- Ceiling Tiles
- Floor Tiles
- Plaster Walls
- Wallboard joint compound
The handling and disturbance of ACM is subject to various state and federal regulations. These regulations detail requirements for licensing of asbestos abatement contractors and consultants, abatement work practices and criteria for determining when asbestos abatement has been properly completed. The best response for ACM which is in good condition is to LEAVE IT ALONE! What are the health risks? Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not develop health problems. However, if disturbed, asbestos material may release asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. Asbestos material that is friable (can be crumbled, crushed or reduced to powder by hand pressure) or asbestos material which is subject to sanding, grinding, cutting or other abrading, presents a greater potential for a public health problem. Asbestos can cause: - Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the chest or the abdominal cavity
- Asbestosis - where the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue
The risk of cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is greater if you smoke. People who get asbestosis have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 10 to 40 years after the first exposure to asbestos. Improper disturbance to asbestos containing materials can increase the risk of developing an asbestos related disease. What should I do if I find asbestos in my home? If you think asbestos may be in your home, don’t panic! Usually, the best thing is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone. There is no danger unless fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs. Check material regularly if you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don’t touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Materials which are located in areas where the potential for physical damage or water damage may occur should be checked frequently. If the material is damaged or becomes damaged, the DPH recommends that a licensed asbestos contractor be contacted to abate the material. Abatement may involve repair, enclosure, encapsulation or removal of the material. Asbestos abatement involving more than three (3) linear feet or more than three (3) square feet of asbestos-containing material must be performed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Due to the potential health effects related to asbestos exposure, the DPH recommends that asbestos abatement involving amounts up to three (3) linear feet or up to three (3) square feet of asbestos-containing material be performed by individuals with proper training and experience. A licensed Management Planner may be contacted to recommend the most appropriate abatement option. Federal National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Asbestos Notification ProgramDate: October 7, 1997The asbestos NESHAP notification requirements outlined in 40 CFR Subsection 61.145 (b) require each owner or operator of a demolition or renovation operation to provide the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with written notice of intent to demolish or renovate. Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) requirements compel these same owners/operators to provide this and additional information to the CTDPH. Since these requirements are substantially similar to 40 CFR Subsection 61.145 (b), the EPA and the CTDPH view this as a duplication of effort and an unnecessary burden to the regulated community. Therefore, effective October 1, 1997, except as noted below, the regulated community in Connecticut will no longer be required to provide written Notification of Demolition and Renovation to the EPA, pursuant to 40 CFR Subsection 61.145 (b), as long as such notices are delivered to the CTDPH. The EPA will view notification to the CTDPH as having satisfied the federal notification requirement and conversely, will consider non-notifiers to the CTDPH as being in violation of the federal notification requirement as well. Written notices must be submitted to the CTDPH in accordance with the requirements of Section 19a-332a-3 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Notice must be made on the enclosed asbestos abatement notification form prescribed by the CTDPH. Blanket notifications must be updated on a quarterly basis in accordance with the procedures detailed in the enclosed memorandum dated March 24, 1997. The exception to the transfer of notification receipt procedures will apply to regulated facilities, as defined by the asbestos NESHAP at 40 CFR Subsection 61.141, where a demolition is to occur but where asbestos is present below the CTDPH notification threshold amounts. This exception applies to those demolitions involving less than or equal to ten (10) linear feet of asbestos-containing material or less than or equal to twenty-five (25) square feet of asbestos-containing material. This exception would also apply to those demolitions believed to involve zero asbestos. Notices subject to this exception must be submitted to EPA directly as presently required. EPA has published a notice in the Thursday, October 2, 1997 Federal Register which details this same information to the regulated community and the general public. The CTDPH will be working with the EPA to ensure that all of the notice requirements of the federal asbestos NESHAP are incorporated into the state regulations. If you have any questions concerning the NESHAP asbestos notification program, please contact the CTDPH, Indoor Air Program at 860-509-7367 or Wayne R. Toland, EPA Region I asbestos NESHAP Coordinator at 617-565-3260.
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