2.0 Abstract

This document outlines the risk potential of asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM). Some insight is given into assessment and mitigation requirements. The need for expert assistance when dealing with potential asbestos hazards is recognized, and resource information is presented.

Possible future trends in asbestos assessment, mitigation, and disposal techniques are given.

Recommendations are set forth for those whose occupation might involve their working in areas or specifying work to be done in areas where a potential asbestos hazard may exist.

This paper concludes that asbestos in buildings is a manageable problem.

3.0 Health Risks

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in metamorphic rocks. There are several different types of asbestos. which have been used in a variety of commercial products due to their fire. heat, and chemical resistance properties. Because of these desirable properties, along with its low relative cost and physical strength, asbestos was widely used in textile, friction. cement, plastic. paper, insulating, and other products. Many of these products have been used in buildings. The most common ACBM have been: spray- or trowel-applied fireproofing and acoustical plaster. thermal insulation, packing and gaskets; flooring, roof ing and coatings; cement materials (including shingles and siding), and architectural decoration and other miscellaneous materials. These asbestos-containing materials are likely to be present in and around existing buildings and mechanical systems. Therefore, identifying and understanding the potential health effects of these ACBM are important issues for ASHRAE members.

Because of the long-standing use of asbestos, a substantial amount of information is available regarding the increased health risk resulting from the occupational exposure of the asbestos worker. Initially, asbestos was associated with a chronic and debilitating lung disease called asbestosis. Asbestosis is usually associated with long-term. uncontrolled exposures to high levels of airborne asbestos fibers. More recently, asbestos has also been linked to several types of cancer. including mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the chest and abdominal lining) and cancers of the lung. esophagus. stomach, and colon. These cancers can appear many years after the initial exposure to asbestos fibers and sometimes result from short term and/or low level exposures. This indicates that there may not be a "safe" level of exposure to airborne asbestos for the elimination of all cancer risk. Additionally. cigarette smoking in combination with asbestos exposure is known to greatly increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

It is important to note, however, that the simple presence of ACBM does not necessarily constitute a health risk. These materials would only pose a known health risk if they were damaged, releasing asbestos fibers of a respirable size into the air to be inhaIed. Therefore, the most important issue for ASHRAE members is the potential exposure to airborne asbestos from damaged ACBM and the steps that can be taken to minimize this potential exposure. To avoid creating new asbestos problems. ASHRAE members should avoid using or specifying the use of asbestos products. Airborne asbestos exposure resulting from the deliberate disturbance of asbestos-containing material is unnecessary using current knowledge and technology; asbestos in buildings is a manageable problem.

4.0 Asbestos Assessment and Mitigation

4.1 Introduction

During the past decade, Americans have become increasingly aware of the presence and potential health hazard of asbestos as outlined above. The federal government estimates that more than 40.000 school buildings and 700.000 public buildings contain asbestos materials. Also. preliminary estimates suggest that millions of U.S. homes contain asbestos materials. These composite materials may be in varying stages of deterioration due to the natural aging process, damage, or renovation. Because of this deterioration, fibers may be released from these materials into the breathing zones of building occupants.

Workers in asbestos-related industries as well as the general construction industry are covered under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. The current standard for an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) occupational exposure to asbestos is 0.2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air longer than 5 micrometers in length (0.2 fkc or 200,000 fkubic meter). Potential atmospheric asbestos pollution generated during removal or disposal of ACBM is controlled by EPA under National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations.

The EPA in 1984 and in early 1988 reported on the state of asbestos in public buildings other than schools. Understandably, the general public's concern over asbestos in nonindustrial buildings has grown with increasing regulatory and media attention. The public concern over asbestos has predictable environmental management consequences. For example, real estate transactions may be affected and renovation plans, and even routine maintenance procedures, are more and more being modified to guard against the potential danger of ACBM.

4.2 Assessment of Building

An important task for building owners and other professionals, such as ASHRAE members, is to properly conduct a survey for the presence of asbestos. This is especially important prior to renovation or repair projects that could release asbestos fibers into the building environment. Therefore, every ASHRAE member needs to be aware that asbestos-containing materials could be present in a variety of construction products. Before disturbing these materials (e.g., cutting or drilling), a survey should be completed to detemmine whether asbestos is present. A qualified consultant or inspector must locate and sample suspected ACBM. Bulk samples should be analyzed by a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) qualified laboratory using polarized light microscopy (PLM). Electron microscopy may also be necessary for accurate analyses of some materials.

The final step could be the use of air sampling as a supplemental tool. Air sampling can present data on the actual presence of airbome asbestos at the particular time of sampling. However, several factors prevent one-time sampling as an effective exposure assessment tool. A single air sample does not necessarily represent previous exposure or predict future exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Any change or renovation alters the environment. Any change in asbestos fiber concentration will alter the assessment of exposure. One-time sampling cannot adequately represent future airborne asbestos concentrations. Only a continuous monitoring program will achieve meaningful exposure assessment results. Such continuous monitoring is expensive and normally not necessary to adequately assess and manage airborne asbestos fibers.

It is important to note that if elevated levels of airborne asbestos are determined to be present, the source must be identified. Air samples should be analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. ASHRAE members should contact air monitoring or sampling professionals for further guidance in this area.

4.3 Asbestos Management Plan

An asbestos management plan is recommended for buildings in view of increased public concem over asbestos exposure and health risks. An effective plan can be designed for individual buildings based upon the assessment by qualified consultants, inspectors and asbestos management planners. Knowledge of the appropriate response actions consistent with the assessment can economically and effectively prevent asbestos exposure and liability costs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken regulatory action to identify and respond to ACBM in public and private elementary and secondary schools in response to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1986, which provides a model for developing asbestos management plans. Such a plan includes:

1. the name, location, and type(s) of ACBM for each building;
2. dates and details of the asbestos survey;
3. names and qualifications of all personnel responsible for asbestos decisions;
4. detailed descriptions, time schedules, and justification for implementing decisions:
5. plans for re-inspection surveillance; and
6. plans for a continued operation and maintenance (O&M) program (air sampling may be an important part of an O&M program).

It is recommended that these details be considered when preparing an asbestos management plan.

4.4 Response Actions

The physical conditions of ACBM will dictate the appropriateness of a response action. Important to the ACBM assessment is the degree of damage to the material. For example, has the material been broken or ruptured to the extent that asbestos fibers are being released into the air or can be released with increased airflows or activities?

An appropriate response action should always be consistent with the assessment provided by a building survey. Remedial actions may include:

1. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Program —A program of training, work practices, and periodic surveillance to maintain friable ACBM in good condition, ensure cleanup of asbestos fibers previously released, and prevent further release by minimizing and controlling disturbance or damage;
2. Repair—Returning damaged ACBM to an undamaged condition or to an intact state so as to contain fiber release;
3. Encapsulation—The treatment of ACBM with material that surrounds andlor embeds asbestos fibers in an adhesive matrix to prevent fiber release; the encapsulant creates a membrane over the surface (bridging encapsulant) or penetrates the material and binds its components together (penetrating encapsulant);
4. Enclosure—The construction of an airtight, impermeable, permanent barrier around ACBM to control the release of asbestos fibers into the air:
5. Encasement—The low pressure spray application of a one- or two-layer structural shell, from 1/16 inch to 2 inches in thickness, which is mechanically fastened in place, to prevent delamination and fiber release; and
6. Removal—The taking out or the stripping of substantially all ACBM from a damaged area, a functional space, or a homogeneous area in a building.

At the conclusion of any remedial action to remove, encapsulate, encase, or enclose, the responsible contractor must ensure that the area is acceptable for reoccupancy. The completion of the response action is first checked by a thorough visual inspection and followed by air sampling. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is recommended for final clearance and for most diagnostic activities. Because of its higher resolution and its ability to identify specific asbestos fiber types, TEM is considered a superior analytical method.

4.5 Operation and Maintenance Program (O&M)

An operation and maintenance program is advisable whenever any ACBM is present or suspected to be present in a building. Also, precautions should be taken to prevent nonfriable ACBM from becoming friable as a result of activities performed in the building, such as sanding, drilling, or cutting. which could cause asbestos fibers to become airborne. It is a prudent and sound management practice for each building to have an O&M program in place whenever the above conditions exist. Elements addressed by the O&M program should include:

1. Worker protection:
2. proper worker training:
3. periodic surveillance, including air monitoring;
4. initial cleaning, utilizing wet-cleaning and HEPA-vacuuming:
5. operations and maintenance procedures, which include posting warning signs and isolating areas where ACBM is disturbed during maintenance activities until repair and cleanup are complete; and
6. fiber release episode procedures to be used when unintentional or uncontrolled activity has resulted in visible fiber emission and dictates an appropriate response action.

4.6 Transportation and Disposal

Transportation and disposal of asbestos waste generated during remedial action is another concem of building owners and contractors. Practices are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and also by the Environmental Protection Agency under the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). Asbestos waste of more than one pound in a single container must be marked with specified "hazardous material" labels during transport. These warnings are in addition to standard "danger" warnings that OSHA and EPA require to be on each container. Containers must be enclosed during transport. During all phases of bagging, transport, and disposal, NESHAP "no visible emissions" standard applies. Once at the disposal site, proper documentation is required as to the quantity and ownership of asbestos waste. Currently, waste remains the property of the building owner, even after disposal. New NESHAP regulations are in preparation governing waste site specifications. No regulations govern the fees for disposal, and a wide variance in price schedules exists. Proper disposal must be made in a landfill, with 6 to 18 inches of ground cover.

5.0 Expert Assistance

5.1 Encounterlng Asbestos

ASHRAE is concerned about the wide variations in ability and competence of asbestos contractors and consultants, which have occurred partly because of the economic conditions in the industry but also because of misinformation and misperceptions in both the technical community and the general population.

The extensive use of asbestos-containing products makes it very likely that renovations involving structures and mechanical/electrical systems built before 1980 will involve some disturbance to asbestos-containing materials. The presence of ACBM must be determined before partial or full demolition in a building is to proceed, since the uncontrolled disturbance of asbestos must be avoided. Public awareness of the potential problem is increasing dramatically. The American Institute of Architects, for example, has demonstrated its concern in its "General Conditions," wherein a contractor has the right to discontinue work if a hazardous condition is uncovered during construction. This right is also supported by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

5.2 Consultant Qualifications

One of the first sources of information and advice should be a professional consultant, independent of any asbestos abatement contractor. A consultant should have proven experience in the abatement area, and his or her level of expertise can be at least partially evaluated by professional certifications, references, and insurance capabilities. It can be assumed that a firm having professional liability insurance, with coverage for errors and omissions, has demonstrated some competence in the asbestos abatement field.

Recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations have greatly expanded the pool of people who may claim expertise in the asbestos field. An individual with little or no training, education, or experience in the field of industrial hygiene/environmental engineering or an applicable related discipline can achieve state certification by attending a three-to-five-day EPA accredited course. Although the EPA program currently addresses only asbestos inspection and abatement in school buildings, one could easily make this license appear to have a broader scope. ASHRAE views this program as insufficient, in and of itself, to adequately train asbestos "experts." In view of the great diversity of building conditions, a three-to-five day course with no prerequisites may not in itself be adequate for the many situations faced by ASHRAE members.

The proper evaluation of a building with ACBM requires professional judgment, experience, and training. ASHRAE members are also cautioned that there may be professionally recognized individuals (i.e., licensed architects, licensed engineers, Certified Industrial Hygienists) who have little or no experience in asbestosrelated issues and who should not make claims in this area.

The successful addressing of any asbestos situation requires a multi-disciplined approach. Therefore, expertise in mechanical engineering, construction, health and safety, industrial hygieneknvironmental sampling, laboratory analysis, and architecture are necessary to fully evaluate a situation and to make proper recommendations for the correction of a problem. It is imperative that a thorough examination of the training, education, and experience of consultants be conducted before their advice is solicited. The health, economic, and legal issues involved require that selection of professional consulting services should not be based solely upon cost.

5.3 Asbestos Abatement Contractor Qualifications

The training, expertise, and level of competence of asbestos abatement contractors are also highly varied. ASHRAE recognizes the implications of poorly performed work with regard to handling a recognized carcinogen, which is often performed in an occupied building. It is, therefore, in the best interests of owners, consultants, and the general public to have abatement work performed by experienced and knowledgeable professional asbestos contractors. Short-term cost savings should not be the primary goal of asbestos abatement, and the selection of an asbestos contractor, as well as a consultant, should be influenced accordingly. There is a legitimate cost for conducting asbestos abatement using state-of-the-art methodologies and techniques. Merely complying with minimal government guidelines, recommendations or regulations is not in accordance with professional responsibility.

ASHRAE recognizes the asbestos abatement contractor with specialized equipment and trained personnel as a separate construction trade. Therefore, documentation of experience and training for those performing asbestos work is imperative, and it is the responsibility of those soliciting such services to thoroughly research these qualifications before allowing work to be performed. Documentation by prospective contractors must be carefully and thoroughly evaluated and should involve the owner's risk management and legal representation, as well as an experienced asbestos consultant. Insurance, bonding, and state licensing (if applicable) are useful screening tools for prospective asbestos contractors.

ASHRAE emphasizes that the success of an asbestos project will be directly related to the competence of the individuals designing, directing, performing, and monitoring the work.

5.4 Education

Greater awareness among ASHRAE membership is necessary with regard to the various technical, legal, and economic considerations generated by the asbestos issue. ASHRAE can contribute to the education of its members and the public through the use of its own information and training resources.

Asbestos-related information can be distributed through ASHRAE technical publications and reports and the ASHRAE Journal in addition to ASHRAE conferences and symposia on indoor air quality. These are appropriate forums in as much as airbome asbestos fibers may be the most significant of the potential contaminants affecting the air quality inside an occupied building.

This information will be essential to engineers and architects designing renovations of systems composed of or insulated with asbestos, contractors performing this work, and building engineers who are responsible for maintenance and repair. It is important that ASHRAE identify its own members who are knowledgeable about asbestos and utilize their services on behalf of other members and the public. H is equally important to recognize that additional resources exist outside ASHRAE, to identify those sources, and to make ASHRAE members aware of how to contact them.

6.0 Resources and Regulations

6.1 Resources

The previous section identified the ASHRAE indoor air quality effort as a useful resource in disseminating information on asbestos hazards, chiefly by providing a forum for presentation of infommation and an exchange of views. However, this does not imply that ASHRAE possesses, within its own organization, sufficient technical capability to address the information needs of its members. To satisfy these needs, the ASHRAE member must look to other organizations, including government agencies, for assistance.

Government agencies at all levels are a source of information on asbestos issues. At the federal level, responsibilities are primarily concentrated in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Each of the ten US EPA regions has a regional asbestos coordinator (RAC) who can respond to a request for information or refer the caller to a knowledgeable source. OSHA will advise callers of the legal requirements for worker protection and will also refer detailed inquiries on all aspects of asbestos to knowledgeable sources. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has studied and reported on asbestos in the home and reviews nonconstruction asbestos products still in use today.

Some states enforce the OSHA worker protection standards and offer consultative services, as well as providing infommation on regulatory compliance. Like their federal counterparts in "nonstate-plan" states, they will refer a specific inquiry to other sources for assistance. A growing number of states also have developed their own asbestos regulations and oversee the training programs developed for certification of asbestos workers, consultants, inspectors, and laboratories. The staff of the responsible offices can answer questions related to these regulations and will refer specific problems to informed sources.

Asbestos responsibilities are usually established within an environmental, health, or labor section of a state agency. The EPA RAC works closely with these agencies, and is a good source of initial information on how a particular state delegates asbestos responsibilities. One example of such delegation is the enforcement of EPA regulations under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) by state agencies.

In Canada, at the provincial level, the Ontario Ministry of Labour has specified asbestos regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario (1978).

In addition to government agencies, one of the most important sources of asbestos information is the network of asbestos training centers established at major universities under EPA sponsorship and funding. These centers offer a variety of training courses, from one to five days in length, for contractors, building owners, govemment offlcials, consultants, industrial hygienists, architects and engineers, and many others. The programs are responsive to the training needs mandated by EPA regulations for asbestos in schools, as well as the needs of many others involved with asbestos. The EPA RAC can advise of the location of a center offering an appropriate course at a convenient location.

Professional and trade organizations that either specialize in asbestos issues or consider these issues within the context of their overall charter are another source of infommation. These organizations disseminate information through their regular and special publications and through meetings and conferences. The National Asbestos Council publishes a quarterly joumal, presents two conferences each year that encompass technical sessions, exhibits, and committee meetings, and operates one of the largest asbestos worker training programs in the country. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) operates an accreditation program in which many analytical laboratories in the asbestos field participate. AIHA also publishes a semi-annual "Consultants Listing" in which asbestos is identified as a specialty. The Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries operates the Asbestos Abatement Council as its information and training resource on asbestos. There are also a growing number of privately operated asbestos training organizations providing services throughout the country.

Specific sources that can be contacted regarding asbestos in buildings are:

1. Local and state departments of health and/or environmental protection
2. National Asbestos Council
3. EPA-funded asbestos training centers
4. EPA Regional Asbestos Coordinators and NESHAP Coordinators
5. Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries
6. Safe Buildings Alliance
7. American Society for Testing and Materials
8. National Insulation Contractors Association
9. National Institute of Building Sciences
10. Asbestos Institute(Montreal)
11. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (Hamilton)
12. Ontario Ministry of Labour (Toronto)
13. Health and Welfare (Ottawa)
14. Labour Canada
15. Ministry of Environment (Canada)

6.2 Regulations

Asbestos-related activities are regulated by agencies at all levels of government. It is important to know the major regulatory programs that may affect a project if asbestos is encountered.

A. FEDERAL REGULATIONS

The agencies responsible for the most important federal regulations affecting asbestos in buildings are the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration .

1. Environmental Protection Agency

The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) require that asbestos be removed from a building before demolition. For renovation projects "that would break up materials," and for all demolition projects the following procedures be followed for asbestos removal:

• Notify EPA or its designee;
• Use wet methods to eliminate visible emissions;
• Place the asbestos in sealed, labeled containers; and <
• Dispose of the asbestos in an approved landfill.

EPA has proposed changes to NESHAP, published on January 10, 1989 (40FR912). ASHRAE members should be aware that changes to these regulations may occur.

EPA regulations under the Asbestos Hazards Emergency Response Act (AHERA), addressed elsewhere in this document, must be followed for work in schools. In addition, some states have adopted more stringent requirements than NESHAP. (Refer to the section on "Asbestos Assessment and Mitigation.")

2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The regulations that provide worker health protection during asbestos abatement are presented in 29CFR1926.58, the Asbestos Standard for the Construction Industry. The major elements of this Standard are as follows:

• A permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.2 fibers/ cubic centimeter, an action level of 0.1 f/cc, based on an eight hour time-weighted average measurement, and a 30-minute Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 1.0 f/cc:
• Employee exposure monitoring by personal air sampling to demonstrate compliance with the PEL, action level and STEL;
• Respiratory protection, equal to or greater than a half-mask air-purifying, negative-pressure respirator with Type H (HEPA) cartridges if exposure exceeds the PEL; and also the use of protective clothing;
• Decontamination facilities and procedures, including showers for exposure above the PEL;
• A regulated area for exposure likely to exceed the PEL, including controlled accesses, barriers, negative pressure, and a competent person;
• Engineering controls and work practices, including the use of HEPA-filtered vacuums, to achieve the PEL;
• Hazard communication, including training, signs, labels, and notification of other trades;
• Medical surveillance, including a medical history, pulmonary function test, and, at the discretion of the examining physican, a chest Xray: and
• Record-keeping for exposure monitoring, respirator fit test, medical examinations, and training.

Appendices to the standard describe requirements for air sampling and analysis, fit test protocols, medical surveillance requirements, and work practices.

NOTE: The above synopsis of EPA and OSHA regulations is not meant to be definitive or complete. The reader is advised to obtain a copy of the actual regulations.

B. STATE/PROVINCIAL REGULATIONS

More than half the statesAprovinces have regulations that affect asbestos activities, and more states are implementing regulations under the impetus of AHERA. These regulations are often more comprehensive and detailed than the federal regulations and generally cover the following categories:

1. Licensing* and training

At a minimum, asbestos abatement contractors are licensed in some states and separate provisions are made for worker licensing. Licensing *Terminology varies. "Licensing", "certification," and "registration" are used more or less interchangeably and usually require completion of a training course, payment of fees, and demonstration of minimum resources to perform the work. Some states also license consultants and laboratories, and training courses for licensing must be approved by the state.

2. Work Practices

Some states have specific minimum requirements for work practices to be followed in removing asbestos. In some cases, these are more detailed than the federal regulations.

3. Notification and Disposal

Most states have notification provisions of their own, or they are the designated agency for EPA notification under NESHAP. Disposal of asbestos is controlled by these agencies as part of their responsibilities.

C. LOCAL GOVERNMENTREGULATIONS

Some cities and counties are implementing their own asbestos regulatory programs. Also, disposal of asbestos in landfills and disposal of asbestos-contaminated water is often regulated by a local agency.

D. CANADLAN REGULATIONS

In Canada, two regulations were specified under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario (1978):

1. The Regulation Respecting Asbestos (1982 Ontario Regulation 570/82)

This regulation applies to employers and workers at a workplace where asbestos is present, processed, mined, used, handled or stored and at which the worker is likely to inhale or ingest asbestos. In this regulation it is specified that the time weighted average exposure to air-borne asbestos is reduced to the lowest practical level and in any case shall not exceed:

1. 0.5 fibers/cc for amosite
2. b. 0.2 fibers/cc for crocidolite
3. 1.0 fibers/cc for other forms of asbestos

The exposure to asbestos for any period of time not to be exceeded as specified by this regulation is:

1. 2.5 fibers/cc for amosite
2. 1.0 fibers/cc torcrocidolite
3. 5.0 fibers/cc for other forms of asbestos.

The regulation specifies how air sampling and analysis must be carried out.

2. The Regulation Respecting Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations (1986 Ontario Regulation 654/85.)

This regulation, developed to ensure control by procedure, was adopted for construction, building maintenance and custodial work. This approach was used because of highly variable conditions on construction projects and the difficulty of obtaining representative air samples. This regulation does not require air sampling to be conducted. Asbestos work is classified as Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3. According to type, various protective procedures and facilities must be adopted.

7.0 Future Trends

ASHRAE believes that as standardization occurs in the asbestos abatement industry and as the public becomes better informed, asbestos will be regarded as a long-term liability that can be managed effectively.

All asbestos-containing material in a building should be addressed by a formal Operation and Maintenance program that is integrated with the normal operation and servicing of a building. Abatement considerations are necessary during building remodeling and renovation.

ASHRAE believes that building inspection protocols, job specifications, environmental controls, monitoring and quality assurance, and building clearance criteria should become standardized nationwide. This will address the wide variability in the industry that presently exists. ASHRAE members should be aware of legislation that has been introduced that could require identification and control of asbestos in buildings other than schools.

The economic motivation for asbestos abatement is stimulating considerable research in alternative techniques. Of particular recent interest is the high temperature vitrification process (melting of asbestos waste into glass), which may help to reduce the costs and associated liabilities of the current practice of abatement site waste disposal in landfills.

Large-scale high-capacity vac,uum systems, which are capable of transporting large quantities of asbestos-containing debris to a location outside the abatement area for containerization, offer a significant potential in abatement labor savings and have shown promise.

Another potential area of growth is in air sample analysis, which currently involves turnaround delays. They are being addressed through computerization and automation, which will help to better integrate the abatement process into the construction industry schedule.

Facilities management documentation will be more efficiently handled through the use of computers.

8.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

ASHRAE Recognizes:

1. Asbestos has been used in a wide variety of mechanical systems and building products and, hence, can be found in many buildings.

2. Airborne asbestos particles of respirable size, when inhaled, are known to cause diseases such as asbestosis and cancer, including mesothelioma. Therefore, it is important to identify and control asbestos-containing material found in buildings and prevent its dispersal into the air.

3. The asbestos abatement industry has emerged as a separate construction trade that will influence daily operations and continuing renovations in asbestos-containing buildings for many years. This trade is changing very rapidly, and ASHRAE members must become aware of it and its progress and recognize that there is a wide variability in competence among asbestos consultants and asbestos abatement contractors.

4. Resources are available at the national, stateiprovincial and local levels of government, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and various stateiprovincial health agencies which also promulgate asbestos-related regulations.

5. Asbestos is a health hazard only when it is in its airbome fomm, however, asbestos in buildings is a manageable problem.

ASHRAE Recommends:

1. Building and mechanical system designers should avoid using or specifying the use of asbestos-containing products.

2. All personnel whose work involves building/ mechanical system Ienovation and/or maintenance should become thoroughly familiar with the potential risks involved in ACBM and engage a qualified professional to make a building assessment if asbestos is or may be present. Full use should be made of national and local resources for information and training.

3. Assessment of a building with asbestos should be perfommed as a minimum by qualified inspectors to identify the potential risk of exposure to asbestos.

4. Care should be exercised in determining qualifications of "certified asbestos inspectors" since quality of certification training activities varies significantly from state to state.

5. If an asbestos assessment reveals sources of asbestos fibers, an Asbestos Management Plan should be put into effect.

6. If abatement of ACBM is recommended by a qualified professional, this work should be perfommed under the direction of a consultant and by an asbestos abatement contractor both of whose qualifications have been thoroughly evaluated and documented.

7. A subcommittee of the ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee should be formed to maintain up-to-date asbestos-related information and to act as a resource for other committees of the Society.

9.0 Bibliography

Federal Register 53, No.178 (September 14) 1988 29 CFR Part 1926. Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, Tremolite, Anthophyllite, and Actinolite; Final Rules: Amendment.

Federal Register 52, No.83 (April 30) 1987 40 CFR Part 763. Asbestos-containing materials in schools; Proposed rule and model accreditation plan: rule.

Federal Register 52, No. 210 (October 30) 1987 40 CFR Part 763. Asbestos-containing materials in schools; Final rule and notice.

Federal Register 51, No. 119 (June 20) 1986 29 CFR 1926. Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, Tremolite. Anthophyllite, and Actinolite: Final Rules.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 1980. Workplace exposure to asbestos-review and recommendations DHHS (NIOSH) Publication, No. 81-103 Cincinnati, Ohio: NIOSH.

U.S. DOT 1987 40 CFR parts 171 and 172. Hazardoussubstances; Final rule, February 17, 1987.

U.S. EPA 1985. Asbestos waste management guidance, USEPA Publication No. EPA/530-SWd-85-007 Washington, DC USEPA.

U.S. EPA 1985. Guidance for controlling asbestoscontaining materials in buildings (The Purple Book), Washington, DC Office of Toxic Substances. EPA 560/5-85-024 (June).

Revision Date: Apr. 7, 1998

©1998 ASHRAE. All Rights reserved.