Dealing with Asbestos during the Remodeling Process

Dealing with Asbestos during the Remodeling Process

Asbestos Mineral

• Natural occurring mineral

• Mined in open pits or underground

• Three largest asbestos producers are Canada, China and Brazil

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth. The different types of asbestos are: •Amosite •Chrysotile •Tremolite •Actinolite •Anthophyllite •Crocidolite

What is Asbestos?

Chrysotile (white) is the most common

Amosite (brown / off-white), or

Crocidolite (blue) as well.

Common Types of Asbestos

• Chrysotile

• Amosite

• Crocidolite

Chrysotile Asbestos

Amosite Asbestos

Crocidolite Asbestos

Tremolite Asbestos

Asbestos Properties

• Heat, cold and sound insulator

• Tensile strength

• Resistant to chemicals

Asbestos Properties

Asbestos fibers are also virtually indestructible

They are resistant to chemicals and heat, and they are very stable in the environment

They do not evaporate into air or dissolve in water, and they are not broken down over time

Asbestos is probably the best insulator known to man

Asbestos ProductsAdhesives and mastics

Appliance components

Brake linings

Gaskets

Joint Compound

Ceiling tiles Cement pipes Packing material Chalkboards

Clutch facings Cooling towers Ducts Electrical

Elevator components

Filters

Transite

Fire blankets/curtains

Fire doors

Floor tile Flooring Galbestos

Insulation Caulking Lab gloves, hoods, tables, sinks

Lamp socket collars Plaster Paints, Coatings

Stucco Roofing Spackling

Thermal paper/tape Wall coverings Wallboard/Sheetrock

Aerodynamic Properties

Because asbestos fibers are so small, once released into the air, they may stay suspended there for hours or even days (i.e. 72 hours)

When is Asbestos Dangerous?

• The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing.

When is Asbestos Dangerous?Asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested

Many of the fibers will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract

Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers can cause health problems

When is Asbestos Dangerous?

Damage and deterioration will increase the friability of asbestos-containing materials. Water damage, continual vibration, aging, and physical impact such as drilling, grinding, buffing, cutting, sawing, or striking can break the materials down making fiber release more likely

Problems with Asbestos• Breaks into fibers versus dust

• Aerodynamic

• Unable to detect visually or by smell

Health EffectsBecause it is so hard to destroy asbestos fibers, the body cannot break them down or remove them once they are lodged in lung or body tissues. They remain in place where they can cause disease

There are three primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure:

•Asbestosis •Lung Cancer •Mesothelioma

Health Effects of Asbestos

Healthy Lungs

Asbestosis

Mesothelioma

Defense MechanismsDefense Mechanisms

• Nose and MouthNose and Mouth

• Mucous Lined Mucous Lined Breathing PassagesBreathing Passages

• Cilia in TracheaCilia in Trachea

Smoking ImpactSmoking Impact

• Impairs Impairs Body’s Body’s Defense Defense MechanismMechanism

• Increased Increased Risk of Lung Risk of Lung CancerCancer

Relationship Between Smoking and Asbestos

Risk of Lung Cancer

2% - Non smoker with no asbestos exposure

5% - Non smoker with asbestos exposure

10% - Smoker with no asbestos exposure

50% - Smoker with asbestos exposure

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. Inhaled asbestos fibers aggravate lung tissues, which cause them to scar.

Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. In its advanced stages, the disease may cause cardiac failure.

Why?

Asbestosis

There is no effective treatment for asbestosis; the disease is usually disabling or fatal. The risk of asbestosis is minimal for those who do not work with asbestos; the disease is rarely caused by neighborhood or family exposure

Those who renovate or demolish buildings that contain asbestos may be at significant risk, depending on the nature of the exposure and precautions taken

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. The incidence of lung cancer in people who are directly involved in the mining, milling, manufacturing and use of asbestos and its products is much higher than in the general population

The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia

MesotheliomaMesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that most often occurs in the thin membrane lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and (rarely) heart. About 200 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Virtually all cases of mesothelioma are linked with asbestos exposure.

Approximately 2 percent of all miners and textile workers who work with asbestos, and 10 percent of all workers who were involved in the manufacture of asbestos-containing gas masks, contract mesothelioma.

MesotheliomaPeople who work in asbestos mines, asbestos mills and factories, and shipyards that use asbestos, as well as people who manufacture and install asbestos insulation, have an increased risk of mesothelioma

So do people who live with asbestos workers, near asbestos mining areas, near asbestos product factories or near shipyards where use of asbestos has produced large quantities of airborne asbestos fibers

Other Cancers

Evidence suggests that cancers in the esophagus, larynx, oral cavity, stomach, colon and kidney may be caused by ingesting asbestos

Famous Persons – Mesothelioma

• Steve McQueen

• Warren Zevon

• Bruce Vento

• Paul Gleason

• Bob Miner

• Terrence McCann

• Merlin Olsen

What Is An Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)?

• Any material that is >1% asbestos– Thermal System Insulation (TSI): pipe, boiler,

duct & furnace insulation– Surfacing Materials: plaster & textured ceilings– Miscellaneous Materials: siding & floor tile

Over 3,000 products may contain asbestos

MDH Definition of Friable Material

"Friable asbestos material" means any material containing more than one percent asbestos by microscopic visual estimation by area, that hand pressure can crumble, pulverize, or reduce to powder when dry.

MDH Definition ofFriable Material

Friable asbestos material includes previously non-friable asbestos material which becomes damaged to the extent that when dry all or a portion of the material may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials

Insulation around heating,

air and water systems


Wall and ceiling insulation (vermiculite)

Vermiculite

• Has been used in approximately 2.5 - 16 million homes.

• Recently identified as being contaminated with asbestos.

• May not be “regulated”, but has shown to create a health hazard in the form of high airborne fiber concentrations in materials with low asbestos concentrations.


Fireproofed Ceiling Space


Textured ceilings and ceiling tiles

Common Asbestos-Containing Material

Floor tiles and linoleum backing


Transite roofing, siding, panels, and flue pipes


Plasters and

joint compounds

Example of Category I Nonfriable: Vinyl Floor Tile

Example of Category I Friable: Vinyl Floor Tile

Linoleum/Vinyl Sheet Flooring – Backing Generally Friable

Linoleum/Vinyl Sheet Flooring – Backing Generally Friable

Example of Category II: Not Regulated Unless Broken

Transite board (Johns Mansville)

Textured Ceiling Spray – Friable

Milboard (Black Paper

Layer) – Friable

Insulation on Pipes – Friable

Preformed Pipe Wrap – Friable

Heating-system Insulation – Friable

High-temp Insulation –

Friable

Mud-pack on Elbow – Friable

Transite Pipe – Regulated When Broken

Insulation – Friable (tape and wrap may be asbestos)

Roofing (Category I) – Usually Not Friable

Asbestos Building Surveys

• MPCA and MNOSHA require surveys– When there is no survey– When the survey does not include the material

that will be disturbed

• Surveys must be completed by a MN certified asbestos inspector

• MDH rules define sampling and reporting protocols

Building Survey Report

• Must contain exact locations of all asbestos-containing materials (ACM)

• Must be signed and dated by the MN certified inspector

• Must include a copy of the MN certified inspector’s certification

Asbestos Bulk Sampling

Regulated Asbestos Work

• Material is greater than 1% asbestos by microscopic determination

• Material is Friable

• Material amounts are greater than 160 square feet, 260 linear feet, 35 cubic feet in a commercial setting or greater than 6 square feet, 10 linear feet, 1 cubic foot in a residential setting

Regulation of ACM in Minnesota?

• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)– Protects Public Health

• Minnesota Statues, sections 326.70 – 326.81• Minnesota Rules, parts 4620.3000 – 4620.3724

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)– Protects the Environment

• Environmental Protection Agency – Title 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart

• Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry (MNOSHA)– Protects Workers

• US Dept of Labor & Industry – Title 29 CFR Part 1926.1101

Regulated Asbestos Work

Requires the following:

• Notification of the Project

• Use of Appropriate Work Practices

• Use of Licensed Asbestos Contractors

• Use of Certified Asbestos Disciplines

Asbestos Abatement ActivitiesAsbestos Abatement Activities

• EncapsulationEncapsulation

• EnclosureEnclosure

• RemovalRemoval

Asbestos Abatement ActivitiesAsbestos Abatement Activities

• Survey to identify ACM?Survey to identify ACM?• Specifications/project designSpecifications/project design• Notification Notification • Work Area ContainmentWork Area Containment• Posting of Work AreasPosting of Work Areas• Engineering Controls/PPEEngineering Controls/PPE• Air Monitoring – I/OAir Monitoring – I/O• Disposal of ACM WasteDisposal of ACM Waste• Clearance TestingClearance Testing

Who Can Remove Asbestos-Containing Materials?

MDH and MPCA requires MN licensed asbestos abatement contractors to:– Submit a notification– Employ and use certified workers and supervisors– Comply with MDH work practices

MDH allows homeowners to do own removal in the residence they live in and own

MNOSHA requires a competent person at a minimum

Suspect Material – ACM?Suspect Material – ACM?

• Before starting a project make sure that Before starting a project make sure that asbestos-containing material will not be asbestos-containing material will not be disturbeddisturbed

• Assume all suspect material contains Assume all suspect material contains asbestos if no dataasbestos if no data

• If you encounter suspect material when If you encounter suspect material when performing work STOP immediatelyperforming work STOP immediately

What To Do?

• If you see something that strikes you as wrong or suspicious, do not enter the area

• Instruct other workers, contractors and building occupants to stay out of the area

• Contact MDH, MPCA or MNOSHA

Agency Assistance• Provide clarification/interpretation of regulations• Assist property owners or contracting entities in

understanding their responsibilities• Assist licensed asbestos contractors and other contractors

in maintaining compliance with the regulations• Provide lists of:

– licensed asbestos contractors

– environmental consulting firms

– analytical laboratories

– Hazardous waste landfills

• Provide compliance history

Why does MDH conduct compliance inspections?

• To determine compliance with the Minnesota Asbestos Abatement Act and Rules

• To protect Public Health and the Environment

Agency Inspections

Three Primary Types• Pre-Project (variance)• Scheduled (based on notifications)• Complaint (workers, contractor, homeowner)

How are violations determined?

• Violations are identified – On-site observation– Through project documentation review

What are the Types of Violations?

• Administrative Violations

• Work Practice Violations

Common Administrative Violations• Certification (Hard Card) Issues

– Expired– Not On Site

• License, Permit, Notification Issues• Project Plan Issues

– Incomplete

• Manometer Record Issues– Not Recorded– Missing Records

Common Work Practice Violations• Installation of Critical Barriers• Containment• Decontamination Units• Removal of ACM• Completion of Abatement• Glove Bag Procedures• Facility Component Removal (Wrap and Cut)• Air Monitoring

What Causes Violations?

• Multiple Distractions• Working Too Fast• Working Carelessly• Relying On The Hygienist

Questions?

MDH – 651-201-4620

www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos

MPCA – 651-296-6300

http://www.pca.state.mn.us

MNOSHA – 651-284-5050

http://www.doli.state.mn.us

Documents

Dealing with Asbestos during the Remodeling Process