Document jmVkwaGn3JX9Kjdr3xBX59JnQ

FILE NAME Brakes BRK DATE 1985 Feb DOC BRK095 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION EPA - Asbestos Fact Book EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Public Affairs 107 Washington DC 20460 Asbestos Fact Book February 1985 ASBESTOS DUST HAZARD AVOID BREATHING DUST WEAR ASSIGNED PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DO NOT REMAIN IN AREA UNLESS YOUR WORK REQUIRES IT BREATHING ASBESTOS DUST MAY BE HAZARDOUS YOUR HEALTH Dear Reader Asbestos is everybody's problem It poses an environmental problem that in one form or another confronts every community in the nation This Asbestos Fact Book describes many of the public health issues involving asbestos and what EPA and others in government are doing to address them We have tried to deal with the difficult questions involving asbestos as openly and as fully as possible without editorial comment or judgment Asbestos is associated with several serious and often debilitating health problems Most public concern is understandably focused on the effects to children who are exposed to asbestos in schools But asbestos is a potential danger for anyone who is directly exposed to it whether such exposure takes place in the home or the workplace This is one reason we have added a section outlining basic precautions that should be taken by any person who works with or in the vicinity of asbestos The challenges of removing or abating asbestos contamination are complex and formidable but Federal state and local governments with the help of concerned citizens and community leaders are beginning to make encouraging progress I feel certain this progress will continue in the years ahead This fact book includes addresses and telephone numbers of several EPA offices responsible for asbestos activities in Washington and our regional offices Please contact any of these sources directly if you have further questions about asbestos or the information in this book Sincerely Thomas Lee M. Thomas Administrator homas Contents Background Description of Asbestos . 6. eee n eee .2 .2 Identifying Asbestos 5. eee eeeeres ........... .2 Health Concerns . 0.00. e eee een eee eet ene nee 2 ss Federal Regulatory Prograsem eeees 3 Key Issues Asbestos in Schools 0 cece eee 44 .............0- Asbestos in Buildings ...... 60.. ... e s. eee- ee. er0 es .4 Asbestos in Homes . 0.0 e ce5 ce eee eee .5.5 Safety Guidelines . 0502 c eee eee eee ..6 .5 Asbestos in Motor Vehicle Brakes ..6 ..6 ..6 Asbestos Wastes 00.00 cece eee nee t eee ..6 ..6 Other EPA Efforts Asbestos Action Program .8 rece .8.8 Asbestos Information Center sees s nee 8 Contractor Certification Program ......---..--- . .8 Worker Protection Standards Research 0... cee ce ss ..........-6e . ee - e: ee + e teen eee tenner es 9 9 Appendices Chronology of Major Federal Actions .....-..-.----- Asbestos Contacts 00... e eee eee eee nee 10 10 Information Materials ...... 6s s. ee. r e. ee.e. en- s 11 Background Description of Asbestos Asbestos is the name for a group of natural minerals that separate into strong very fine fibers The fibers are resistant and extremely durable and these qualities have made asbestos very useful in construction and industry Although there are several different types of asbestos nearly 95 percent of all asbestos used in commercial products is a type called chrysotile The potential of an containing product to release fibers is dependent upon several factors including its location and its degree of friability Friable means that it can be crumbled with hand pressure and therefore is likely to emit fibers when disturbed The fibrous or fluffy spray applied asbestos materials found in many buildings for fireproofing insulating or decorative purposes are generally considered friable Some materials such as vinyl floor tiles are less likely to emit airborne fibers unless subjected to sanding or cutting operations Between 1900 and 1980 some 30 million tons of asbestos were put in place Since the 1970s however asbestos use has declined significantly The United States now mines and processes about 200,000 tons of asbestos every year into hundreds of different products Identifying Asbestos Asbestos has been used in a variety of forms It has been sprayed or trowelled on ceilings beams walls and other structural components of buildings It was used for thermal acoustical and decorative purposes and to insulate boilers and pipes as well as many other construction materials and appliances It is best to assume that a product does contain asbestos if this cannot be determined from the label the installer or the manufacturer EPA has a free number where people can find the names of laboratories qualified to test and analyze samples for asbestos 800-334-8571 ext 6741 Health Concerns The physical properties that give asbestos its resistance to heat and decay are linked with several adverse human health effects Asbestos tends to break into a dust of microscopic fibers Because of their size and shape these tiny fibers can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and can easily penetrate body tissues when inhaled Because of their durability these fibers can remain in the body for many years Asbestos is known to cause asbestosis and various forms of cancer Asbestosis is a chronic disease of the lungs which makes breathing progressively more difficult and can lead to death Cancer can result from Federal materials to notify parents EPA has also published breathing asbestos fibers Regulatory Program and teachers if such several guidance documents Lung cancer the most frequently seen asbestos disease is Over the last ten years the U.S. Environmental materials are found to place warning signs in schools where asbestos is found and that provide state art guidance on how to identify and control friable apparently made much more likely by smoking Breathing asbestos also can cause mesothelioma a cancer of the chest and abdominal membranes that causes shortness of breath and pain in the abdomen and walls of Protection Agency and several other federal agencies have acted to prevent unnecessary exposure to asbestos by prohibiting some uses and by setting exposure standards in the workplace Now the government is also acting to to keep accurate records of their actions to eliminate the problem Congress passed the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984 to help those schools with the most serious hazards and the containing materials see page 23 In addition the Agency is beginning the operation of several new programs These include @ contractor certification @ 3 pilot information centers te the chest Mesothelioma almost never occurs without limit exposure to the public at large exposure to asbestos and is Five agencies have major greatest financial need The Act gives EPA the responsibility for providing @ rules to provide worker protection during asbestos abatement activities wtarGeinhots currently incurable Other cancers primarily of the digestive tract also have been associated with exposure to asbestos These diseases have a long latency period - that is they don't show up until 20 to 40 authority to regulate asbestos The Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA sets limits for worker exposure on the job The Food and Drug Administration FDA is both financial and technical assistance to local education agencies Financial -assistance for which Congress has appropriated 50 million will include grants and loans These funds will be allocated on the fi@ expanded technical assistance materials The details of these programs are covered in the sections that follow years after exposure Right now for example we are seeing the results of exposure that occurred among asbestos workers during World War II Some people who have been exposed even to very low levels of asbestos for very brief periods have later responsible for preventing asbestos contamination in food drugs and cosmetics The Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC regulates asbestos in consumer products It already has banned the use of asbestos in wall patching basis of state assigned priorities the financial resources of the requesting educational agencies the degree of asbestos exposure and the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the proposed abatement techniques EPA offers technical contracted mesothelioma Because asbestos fibers compounds ceramic logs and clothing The CPSC is assistance and guidance on asbestos Under the TAP remain in the body each exposure increases the burden of asbestos now studying the extent of asbestos use in consumer products generally and is considering a ban on all essential product uses that can result in the release of asbestos fibers The Mine Safety and Health Administration Technical Assistance Program each of the agency's ten regions has a Regional Asbestos Coordinator backed up by a staff of technical experts see page 22 Since 1979 the program has provided advice to thousands of school MSHA regulates mining and milling of asbestos officials and building owners The Environmental Protection Agency EPA regulates the use and disposal of toxic substances in air water and land and has banned all uses of sprayed asbestos materials The effects of cumulative exposure to asbestos have been established by dozens of epidemiological studies In addition EPA has issued standards for handling and disposing of containing wastes EPA has a program to help abate asbestos exposure in schools Since 1982 when EPA issued the Asbestos Identification and Notification Rule the agency has required all local education agencies to inspect for friable asbestos Key Issues Asbestos in Schools Since 1979 EPA has operated a Technical Assistance Program to help schools identify and control airborne asbestos to safeguard the health of an estimated 15 million children and 1.4 million school workers in schools containing friable asbestos The mere presence of asbestos however does not necessarily represent a significant health risk in schools or other buildings Asbestos only poses a threat when friable material degrades or is destroyed and the asbestos fibers escape into the air and are inhaled EPA has not set a standard for asbestos in school as such since conditions and problems must be addressed for each school The Agency has concluded that each school should be handled on a case basis to determine the extent of the problems and the best ways for resolving them expeditiously Removing asbestos is not always the safest or most feasible approach One of four alternative abatement techniques or options is employed when asbestos is found in schools or other buildings depending on specific conditions found at each individual site These are described in detail on page 18. All 10 EPA regional offices have Asbestos Coordinators to help schools deal with asbestos problems conduct training seminars and give guidance on different alternatives to reduce asbestos exposure There is a free number where callers can get the names of laboratories that are qualified to test and analyze asbestos samples 800-334-8571 80-34-8571 ext 6741 and another where the general public can get technical assistance 800-424-9065 Inspection and Notification Rule In 1982 EPA issued an Asbestos Rule that required all public and private schools to inspect their buildings for friable asbestos containing materials The schools were to complete this inspection by June 28 1983. The Rule also required these schools to take samples and have them analyzed for asbestos content keep records of these transactions and notify employees and parents if asbestos was found School Survey During January 1984 EPA completed a survey of 2,600 public school districts and private schools to determine compliance with the Asbestos Rule This survey showed that one third of these 2,600 schools may have asbestos problems but that thirds of these had either taken action to correct the problem or were in the process of voluntarily correcting the problem Other Asbestos in Buildings Asbestos was once considered a health risk only for asbestos workers It is now known to be a potential hazard to all who are exposed to asbestos libers in the air they breathe Sources of potential exposure to asbestos fibers from containing friable materials include those materials sprayed or trowelled onto ceilings rafters beams and other structural building parts for fireproofing insulation deadening or decoration or used as pipe and boiler insulation Friable materials are those that can be crumbled pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure Asbestos Survey EPA recently conducted a national survey to determine the extent of containing friable material in buildings The primary objective of the survey was to generate valid national estimates of the number of buildings that have containing materials and to integrate the results of the survey in planning the agency's asbestos program Major Findings buildings and residential apartments About 700 000 ol these buildings 20 percent contain friable asbestos It is estimated that there are 1.2 billion square feet of sprayed or trowelled asbestos materials with an average asbestos content of 14 percent in 190,000 buildings Buildings built in the 1960s are more likely to have these materials than other buildings About 550,000 buildings are estimated to have containing pipe and boiler insulation with an average asbestos content of 70 percent Buildings Surveyed Inspection teams conducted extensive inspections of 231 buildings which were a statistically representative sample of the 3.5 million buildings in the three classes of buildings noted above Federal government buildings private residential buildings and residential apartments The study was conducted in 10 sites cities or groups of counties chosen to represent the continental U.S. They were in the vicinities of New Brunswick NJ Chicago IL Los Angeles CA Phoenix AZ Kansas City MO Darlington Co. SC Reno Co. KS New York NY Oklahoma City OK and Houston TX Loan and results from the Survey There are 3.5 million Grant Program showed that 93 percent of the 2,600 schools had been inspected but that only 34 percent were in full compliance with all the requirements of the EPA Rule Additional schools may now be in compliance As of January 14 1985 EPA has issued 147 civil complaints nationwide fining school districts a total of 1,333,445 for compliance buildings in the United States that are included in one of three classes Federal Government buildings private residential Congress passed the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act in August 1984 and subsequently gave EPA 50 million to assist those schools with the most serious asbestos exposure problems and financial need The Act authorizes expenditures of 50 million for the program in 1985 and 100 million per year for each of the next five years Congress has not however appropriated these funds interest loans repayable over 20 years may be awarded for up to 100 percent of an abatement project Grants may be awarded for up to 50 percent of the cost of a project Some schools may qualify for both a grant and a loan Applications which were sent to schools in December Asbestos in Homes Where is Asbestos Used in the Home Asbestos has been used in a wide variety of products for four basic reasons 1 to Friable Ceilings Buildings built or remodeled between 1945 and 1978 may contain crumbly asbestos material in the ceilings Trained contractors should be hired to remove it or encapsulate the material with a coating Stoves and furnaces Cement product whether or not the product contains asbestos People who have frequently worked with asbestos such as plumbers building contractors or heating contractors often are able to make a reasonable judgment about whether or not a material contains asbestos a ke 1984 must be completed and strengthen the product sheet material around stoves based on visual inspection submitted to Governors who material 2 for thermal probably will not release cept in turn are to submit priority insulation within a product asbestos fibers unless If I Find Asbestos in My Me lists of candidates to EPA by 3 for thermal or acoustical scraped Paper or millboard Home a March 15 1985. EPA insulation or decoration on poses greater hazards and What Should I Do specialists are available at the er free 800-424-9065 flooring answer questions about filling out applications EPA will determine the eligibility of applicants and begin distributing funds by June 6 1985 so that schools can conduct abatement activities next summer exposed surfaces and 4 for fire protection Vinyl floor tiles and Asbestos fibers can be released if the tiles are sanded or seriously damaged or if the backing on the sheet flooring is scraped or sanded or if the tiles are severely worn or cut to fit into place Rather than removing them the flooring should be covered by new material should be handled according to the safety guidelines Furnace insulation should be replaced if it is in poor condition with pieces breaking off The Safety Guidelines see next section suggest the proper procedures Walls and pipes If insulation around pipes dated from 1920 to 1972 is damaged it is usually better to use wide In most cases containing materials do not need to be removed They should be periodically inspected for signs of damage or deterioration and repaired as necessary When it is necessary to use or work with containing materials reduce your exposure to fibers as much as possible To help you do this follow the general Safety Patching compound and textured paints The use of asbestos in these products was banned in 1975. Any old products should be discarded Sanding or scraping old material can release asbestos protective duct tape to repair it rather than to try to remove the insulation itself Wall and ceiling insulation installed between 1930 and 1950 may contain asbestos and in major renovations or Guidelines on the next page If at all possible get help from a contractor who is trained and experienced in working with asbestos Be sure the contractor is familiar with and follows the fibers To repair damaged material Safety Guidelines see next section should be demolitions should only be handled by trained contractors guidelines for handling containing materials In general home followed Appliances Unless broken or misused most appliances with asbestos are safe to use repair contractors are NOT experienced in the proper procedures for handling asbestos Unsafe models have been withdrawn voluntarily from the market by the manufacturers Roofing shingles and siding Asbestos was used as a binding agent with portland cement in some materials If it is worn it may be spray painted to seal in the fibers To repair or replace it the Safety Guidelines should be followed How Can I Tell if I Have Asbestos in My Home The manufacturer of a product may be able to tell you based on the model number and age of the Safety Guidelines 6. If you must remove the material avoid breaking it into small pieces While it is easier to remove and handle If you think that a material contains asbestos and you have to disturb it handle it very carefully Special precautions should be taken during removal or encapsulation of exposed or damaged containing material If possible find a contractor trained in safe procedures for handling asbestos The contractor should follow these basic precautions 1. Do not disturb any material you think may contain asbestos unless you have to Removal of the material is usually the last alternative 2. Seal off the work area from the rest of the residence Plastic sheeting and duct tape may be used Take great care not to track asbestos dust into other areas of the residence 3. Always wear an approved respirator Wear protective gloves hats and other protective clothing If possible dispose of all of this equipment immediately after using it If you cannot dispose of your clothing wash it separately from the family's wash 4. When working with containing material wet it with a hand sprayer The sprayer should provide a fine mist and the material small pieces you are more likely to release asbestos fibers Pipe insulation was usually installed in preformed blocks remove these in complete pieces 7. EPA has regulations concerning asbestos disposal Place any material you remove and any debris from the work in plastic trash bags and dispose of it in a proper landfill Call your health department for instructions about how to dispose of this Take care not to break the bag 8. After you finish removing the material thoroughly clean the area with wet mops wet rags or sponges Repeat the cleaning procedure a second time Wetting will help to reduce the chance that the fibers get spread around Again see that no asbestos material is tracked into other areas If possible dispose of the mop heads rags and sponges in the trash bags with the removed materials Otherwise vigorously flush the mop rag or sponge in running water in a sink or basin with a drain Make sure to completely rinse both the utensil and the basin 9. If you are going to have work done by a contractor discuss these guidelines and other steps to minimize asbestos exposure should be thoroughly dampened but not dripping wet Wet fibers do not float in the air as readily as dry fibers and will be easier to clean up The addition of a small amount about a teaspoon to a quart of water of a sudsing dish or laundry detergent will improve the penetration of the water into the material and reduce the amount of water needed 5. If you must drill or cut an containing material do the drilling or cutting outside if possible Wet the material first see item 4 CAUTION Do not dust sweep or vacuum particles suspected of containing asbestos This disturbs tiny asbestos fibers and may make them airborne The fibers are so small that they cannot be seen and can pass through normal vacuum cleaner filters and get back into the air The dust should be removed by a mopping procedure or by specially vacuum cleaners used by trained asbestos contractors above Asbestos in Motor Vehicle Brakes Asbestos is used widely in motor vehicle brakes and people who work directly on brake maintenance are widely exposed to exceptionally high levels of asbestos This occurs when brakes are cleaned and serviced during routine maintenance activities EPA is establishing a Brake Mechanics Program to provide information and education on asbestos problems to vocational students working mechanics and brake repair and maintenance specialists The program will alert these specialists to the presence of asbestos in brakes and to methods that will minimize the release of asbestos fiber into the workplace Asbestos Wastes EPA and other federal agencies have specific regulations in place regarding asbestos wastes They cover a period that ranges from the time the wastes are generated to their disposal at a receiving facility Generation of Asbestos Wastes containing wastes are generated by a variety of processes that include Mining and Milling These operations generate large quantities of residual asbestos rocks and tailings EPA regulations require that these wastes be handled in such a way as to prevent any visible dust emissions Controls range from wetting down wastes using exhaust ventilation systems during mining and milling - operations and decontaminating equipment that controls or comes into contact with the wastes Manufacturing and Fabricating Asbestos products are manufactured by combining the milled asbestos with binders fillers and other materials The resultant mixture is typically molded formed or sprayed and subsequently cured or dried Manufactured products may then be fabricated for specific uses by another manufacturer the installer of the product or the consumer EPA requires a variety of controls on these wastes These range from controlling emissions of waste dust special handling procedures and warning labels on the proper disposal of the product Removal Operations A significant quantity of containing wastes may be generated during the removal of friable asbestos materials from buildings There are several EPA regulations governing these removal actions All friable asbestos materials must be removed prior to any demolition Removal or encap- sulation also is required before the start of any renovation that would disturb the asbestos EPA and OSHA require several actions during a removal activity These include enclosing the work areas with barriers and the installation of air filters and work decontamination facilities All wastes must be wetted to prevent visible emissions They must also be containerized and properly labeled Cleanup of all debris following a removal operation is also required Transport of Asbestos Wastes Transportation begins at the time wastes are hauled away from a generation site and ends when the wastes are actually delivered and unloaded at a disposal site EPA regulations state only that no visible emissions of the asbestos wastes occur during transport although several other safeguards are also recommended that include Recordkeeping A custody form that is passed from the generator to the transporter and ultimately to the person receiving the wastes at a disposal site Containers The use of properly labeled tight containers for transporting the wastes and instructions on how to handle the wastes during transport Vehicles Options such as using enclosed carrying compartments or canvas to cover wastes are recommended for vehicles carrying wastes Disposal of Asbestos Wastes There are EPA regulations governing the disposal of asbestos wastes at active and inactive disposal sites that include Site Selection There must be no visible dust emissions from the site during disposal and a thick covering at least six inches of asbestos material must be placed over the wastes within 24 hours Many States and localities have programs for approving and licensing asbestos disposal sites Receiving Wastes A waste hauler must notify a landfill of any load containing asbestos wastes and the load must be inspected by the landfill operator to ensure the wastes are in proof containers and are labeled properly The landfill operator also is to notify EPA of any suspected fiber releases during disposal If the wastes are not in proper containers the landfill operator must keep the wastes wet until they can be covered with a asbestos material Site Requirements A facility must establish clearly designated areas and trenches for the disposal of asbestos wastes and safeguards must be instituted to cover the wastes and avoid breakage of the containers In addition a 30 inch cover of asbestos material must be added to the six inch cover put on to prevent dust emissions before the final closure of an area containing asbestos wastes Proper grading and vegetation must be added to prevent erosion of the wastes Other Requirements EPA also requires other actions to control public access to site areas containing asbestos wastes and requires that facilities provide for proper recordkeeping of asbestos wastes Other EPA Efforts Asbestos Action Program The Asbestos Action Program which was established within EPA's Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances in December 1984 directs and implements all of EPA's nonregulatory asbestos activities The program develops guidelines and procedures for dealing with asbestos problems runs a variety of technical and public information programs and manages and coordinates asbestos activities within EPA and with other government and government organizations The program staff also will @ establish information and training centers fi@ establish contractor certification programs - develop guidelines to identify the most serious asbestos risks in buildings - provide assistance to citizens contractors and others on locating asbestos recommending abatement actions and existing health effects data - provide guidance to local school agencies and States in completing grant applications - coordinate and administer within EPA and the Department of Education the review of grant applications and the award of funds - chair work groups for regulations in their early stage of development - work with the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding asbestos in homes and other Federal Agencies on asbestos related program - chair the Federal Asbestos Task Force - develop public information materials - coordinate the asbestos programs within EPA @ More detailed information about these particular projects is included in this section - implement the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984 which calls for EPA to provide grants or loans to schools with the most serious asbestos problems that are in the most severe financial need Asbestos Information Centers Contractor Certification Program EPA plans to establish three pilot Asbestos Information and Training Centers to provide information to the public on how to identify and abate asbestos hazards and to educate and train people in proper asbestos identification and abatement techniques The centers also will serve as clearinghouses and will distribute general information guidance documents and audiovisual materials The first center will be located at the Georgia Institute of Technology and will open in the spring of 1985. The other two centers located at the University of Kansas Kansas City KS and Tufts University Medford MA will open by the summer of 1985 The centers will sponsor technical symposia and conferences to train people involved in various aspects of asbestos abatement Three types of training courses will be offered at each center - a one general awareness course geared toward the general public teachers parents etc. an abatement course for decisionmakers building owners and managers who must make abatement decisions to discuss methods for identifying and controlling friable asbestoscontaining materials and a three course designed to provide classroom as well as hands training for workers and supervisors who are involved in asbestos abatement projects Target audiences also will include architects maintenance personnel school officials and abatement contractors Depending on the success and effectiveness of these pilot centers EPA may expand the program and establish additional centers in the future EPA is developing a model State contractor certification program to address the problem of inconsistent performance by asbestos abatement contractors The goal of the program is to ensure that abatement work is performed by qualified professionals who use state techniques and are held accountable for their performance State Certification Programs Each State program is to include uniform certification criteria standardized training courses testing for technical knowledge of asbestos and abatement practices auditing of abatement job performance and periodic retraining requirements EPA'S Approach EPA's Asbestos Action Program will undertake the following actions to establish a contractor certification program Develop a contractor certification course fi@ Develop a model State regulation Provide guidance for State enabling legislation Provide States with materials neces un the certification courses Develop a description of an effective State monitoring and oversight process fiProvide incentives for State participation in the program State Demonstration Projects In order to establish pilot contractor certification programs EPA will select 10-15 States to participate in demonstration projects Each State that is selected will be provided on an accelerated basis the certification courses the instructors packages and the model State regulation A generic contract with appropriate specifications for asbestos work and a description of an effective monitoring and oversight process for asbestos projects will also be developed for the projects The State of Maryland's program has been used as a model for many of these materials These programs will begin by June 5 1985 Worker Protection Standards There are regulations in effect which protect many workers from asbestos risks These regulations exist under programs administered and enforced by The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA Public sector workers and workers in firms with less than 10 employees however are not uniformly covered by these OSHA regulations EPA is examining several options for providing protection to these workers These options include Protecting Abatement Workers EPA will determine by June 1985 whether it is feasible to advance the same kind of protection to all asbestos abatement workers that is currently provided to workers covered by the OSHA regulations EPA also will be determining whether it has the statutory authority to effect such rules whether the rules can be implemented effectively and whether they can pass established government clearance processes Work Practices EPA also is investigating whether it is feasible to promulgate a regulation that would require the establishment of certain procedures and work practices during all asbestos abatement projects to reduce limit the exposure of building occupants and workers to asbestos Again EPA must determine if it has the authority to apply these rules and if this approach is the most efficient way to address the potential worker protection problems involved Service and Maintenance Workers EPA also will be instituting a program aimed at limiting the exposure of building service and maintenance personnel to asbestos during normal maintenance activities In addition EPA is preparing a document that will provide safety guidance for service and maintenance personnel who may have to deal with asbestos in schools and other buildings A public information campaign also will be developed that alerts maintenance workers about appropriate work practices to limit their exposure to asbestos during normal maintenance in buildings Research The health effects of asbestos exposure described earlier have been extensively researched and verified Specific items include ways to abate and handle asbestos once it is discovered in some building or area the extent to which it presents problems in private homes and the kinds of materials that can serve as safe substitutes Abatement and Handling Techniques Four alternative abatement techniques or options are currently used to prevent or reduce the release of asbestos fibers in schools and other buildings They include an operations and maintenance plan involving periodic reinspection of containing materials which are in good condition This is the best alternative for undamaged materials encapsulation which involves sealing asbestos with tape or other sealants to prevent the release of friable materials enclosure by dropping ceilings or installing new walls to cover asbestos removal of the asbestos by trained professionals in a manner which prevents disturbance of asbestos fibers or their release into the air It currently is unclear how effective each of these techniques is under a variety of different situations or when different building materials are involved Information is needed in this regard to ensure the safest and most cost effective remedies for handling asbestos hazards in buildings EPA is conducting research in this area Homes At present no one knows the extent to which asbestos in private homes presents a potential hazard CPSC is conducting a survey of homes EPA's technical assistance program can help private homeowners ascertain what they can do to address the problem Substitutes Various materials are in use that serve as substitutes for asbestos These include cellulose natural wool fiberglass and other applied insulation materials EPA is in the process of developing programs to investigate assess the safety and suitability of these substitutes and Appendices Chronology of Major Federal Actions See Glossary for definition of acronyms used in this chronology Occupational Standards OSHA OSHA OSHA NIOSH MSHA MSHA OSHA OSHA OSHA 6/72 permanent standard for occupational exposure of 5 cc to be lowered to 2 cc in 1976 10/75 7/76 proposed lowering standard to 0.5 cc 2 cc standard became effective 12/76 recommended OSHA lower the standard to 0.1 cc 3/76 2 cc standard in coal mines 11/78 11/83 2 cc standard in metal and nonmetallic mines includes sand gravel & crushed stone operations ssued emergency temporary standard ETS of 0.5 cc 11/83 ETS stayed pending legal arguments by asbestos industry 3/84 ETS overturned in Federal District Court Air Emissions NESHAP NESHAP 3/71 asbestos listed as a hazardous air pollutant 4/73 no visible emissions standard for milling and manufacturing of asbestos products and demolition of buildings - prohibited spray application for most uses of friable materials containing more than % asbestos NESHAP _ NESHAP 10/75 6/78 waste collection and disposal included under the no visible emissions standard added several processing industries to those already covered extended prohibition to cover all uses of friable spray material and no visible emissions standard to cover all friable containing materials during demolition U.S. Supreme Court 1/78 decision in the Adamo Wrecking Co. case ruled that EPA did not prior to the 1977 Clean Air Act amendments have the authority to impose work practice requirements thus invalidating those parts of the NESHAP regulations which are not emissions standards NESHAP 7/83 proposed reinstatement of these provisions Asbestos U.S. Dept of Education U.S. Dept of education TSCA TSCA EPA 9/80 under the Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act proposed a rule to establish a grant and loan program to reimburse schools for detecting and controlling friable containing materials in schools 1/81 5/82 final rule funds have not been appropriated to conduct this program final rule on identification and notification of friable containing materials in schools 2/83 EPA granted a substantial part of a Section 21 petition from the Service Employees Intl Union to commence regulatory action on schools and buildings asbestos abatement 8/84 under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984 administers a loan and grant program to help schools elimiate asbestos hazards Commercial Use of Asbestos CPSC TSCA TSCA TSCA TSCA 12/77 rules prohibiting use of asbestos in consumer patching compounds and emberizing agents 10/79 ANPR with CPSC announcing intent to consider regulations of commercial uses of asbestos 12/79 ANPR modification 9/80 proposed rule under Section a to require reporting of production and exposure data on asbestos 7/82 final rule under Section a to require reporting of production and exposure data on asbestos Water Emissions FWPCA 2/74 effluent guidelines for asbestos manufacturing point sources and new source performance standards Waste Disposal RCRA RCRA 5/80 asbestos listed as a hazardous waste in proposed rule 11/80 when issuing interim final rules on portions of the disposal regulations EPA stated it would temporarily defer promulgation of the listing of asbestos while investigating the extent to which NESHAP facilities afford comparable protection EPA TSCA TSCA 3/79 through the OTS EPA initiated a technical assistance program to help schools identify and control friable containing materials 9/79 ANPR on containing materials in schools 9/80 proposed rule on identification and notification of friable containing materials in schools Other Actions DOT FDA FDA 8/79 rule to require controls during transportation of friable asbestos 3/75 rule to prevent release of asbestos from filters used for some drugs 1/76 rule to revoke permission to use the electrolytic diaphragm process for salt Glossary ANPR CPSC DOT cc Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Consumer Product Safety Commission Department of Transportation fibers per cubic centimeter FDA Food and Drug Administration FWPCA MSHA Federal Water Pollution Control Administration became part of EPA Mine Safety and Health Administration NESHAP National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants NIH National Institutes of Health NIOSH National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration RCRA __ TSCA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Toxic Substances Control Act Asbestos Contacts EPA Region 1 JFK Federal Building Boston MA 02202 617 223-0585 EPA Region 2 Woodbridge Avenue Edison NJ 08837 201 321-6668 EPA Region 3 Curtis Bldg 6th and Walnut Streets Phila PA 19106 215 597-9859 EPA Region 4 345 Cortland Street Atlanta GA 30365 404 881-3864 EPA Region 5 230 S. Dearborn Street Chicago IL 60604 312 886-6003 EPA Region 6 First International 1219 Elm Street Dallas TX 73270 Bldg EPA Region 7 726 Minnesota Avenue Kansas City KS 66101 913 236-2835 EPA Region 8 1860 Lincoln Street Denver CO 80295 303 837-3926 EPA Region 9 215 Fremont Street San Francisco CA 94105 415 974-8137 EPA Region 10 1200 6th Avenue Seattle WA 98101 206 442-2632 Free Numbers Free Numbers EPA 800-334-8571 ext 6741 For names of labs qualified to test and analyze asbestos samples EPA 800-424-9065 Where general public can get technical assistance EPA 800-424-9065 Where schools can get help in filling out grant applications CPSC For information 800-638-2772 on asbestos in consumer products or homes Information - Materials Fact Sheets Asbestos in Schools Discusses EPA's regulation requiring all private and public schools to inspect for asbestos federal grants available to help schools abate asbestos problems methods for remedying asbestos problems and kinds of technical assistance EPA can provide to schools Includes list of EPA a Regional Asbestos Coordinators and list of available publications about asbestos Asbestos General information about asbestos its possible health effects ways to remedy asbestos problems and where to go for help Technical Documents Containing Materials in School Buildings A Guidance Document Part 1 - March 1979 Part 1 of this part guidance package is written for school officials and outlines steps that schools can take to conduct an asbestos control program Containing Materials in School Buildings A Guidance Document Part 2 - March 1979 This part of the package contains more detailed information on asbestos identification and control methods Part 2 is primarily for school personnel contractors and others involved in actual asbestos inspection and control work Guidance for Controlling Friable Containing Materials in Buildings - March 1983 This document serves to 1 provide a summary of data on exposure to airborne asbestos 2 identify issues in establishing an asbestos control program 3 review technical issues confronted when assessing the potential for exposure in indoor settings 4 provide information on alternative remedial actions 5 suggest a process for selecting a particular course of action and 6 discuss criteria for determining successful asbestos control | Slide Show for Training Material Use with EPA's 1983 Asbestos Guidance Document Consists of thre parts graphic materials on 35 mm slides 55 slides a companion set of discussion points on cards and a text The presentation is designed to take between 45 and 60 minutes and a question and answer period is suggested as a follow