Document k9XLjJqLO3ZaV8Z9om9VzRN7E

(S5) < (3 v=3 L-----J k5> i e\ -*2< d BACKGROUND ON THE CONCERNS OF ASBESTOS IN BUILDINGS Asbestos is the general name -for a group of naturally occur ring silicate minerals that separate into strong, very fine fib ers. It is present in seams or veins in rock formations in var ious locations around the world. The major deposits are present in Canada, the United States, South Africa, and the Soviet Union. There are several different minerals that are considered to have "asbestos" characteristics. The most common being chrysotile, crocidolite, and amosite. Raw asbestos is mined in open-pit mines and milled to separate it from non-asbestos rock and breakdown the 'fibers into sizes that have commercial applications. Processing operations than modify the raw asbestos fiber into commercial products by mixing or blending with other materials, binders and fillers to achieve the desired characteristics. Asbestos fibers are heat and chemical resistant, strong and flexible, have good thermal and electrical insulating ability, and good friction and wear characteristics. These properties have been utilized in a variety of commercial applications since before 1900. The primary uses of asbestos have included: - Acoustical surfacing or finishes on ceilings or walls for sound control and decorative purposes - Thermal insulation for pipes and boilers for energy con servation, condensation control, and safety - Fireproofing on structural steel and decking for fire protection - Tile and sheet flooring and roofing for durability and wear , - Cement pipe and sheets for durability and fire protection Between 1900 and 1980 over 30 million tons of asbestos was used in commercial products in the United States alone. How ever, use of asbestos was significantly curtailed in the mid-1970's as knowledge of the adverse health effects of asbestos exposure became known. NU8B-0033430 m< c Government agencies began regulating the use and installation of asbestos-containing products in the early 1970's. The first major action occurred in 1970 when New York City banned the use if spray-applied asbestos structural fireproofing. In 1973, the EPA banned the use of spray-applied asbestos insulation and fireproofing. In 1975, EPA banned the use of all asbestos insu lating materials. In 1978, EPA extended the ban to include the use of asbestos-containing materials for decorative and acousti cal applications. In 1986, EPA proposed a ban on the manufacture and use of all other types of asbestos products within 10 years. These include friction products (brake shoes), cloth products, asbestos-cement pipe, roofing and flooring materials, and asbes tos-cement sheet. EPA has also requires that whenever a building is demolished that all asbestos-containing materials must be removed first. It also requires that prior to any demolition project or a renova tion project that involves the removal of more than 260 lineal feet of asbestos pipe insulation or 160 square feet of asbestos equipment insulation or surfacing material, advance notice must be filed with the EPA regional office and the local or state health or environmental regulatory agency. Many state and local agencies have enacted regulations that impose stricter reporting requirements, specific work practices and procedures for abatement, and contractor certification and licensing. The OSHA regulations were revised in 1986 to lower Permis sible Exposure Limits for asbestos fibers and require specific work practices and exposure controls for any activity involving asbestos. Serious health problems may occur from the inhalation of air borne asbestos fibers. Exposure to high levels of asbestos is known to cause asbestosis, which is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing progressively more difficult and can lead to death. Asbestos has also been shown to cause various types of cancer. Lung cancer is the most frequently seen asbestos-related disease and is more likely to occur in smokers than non-smokers. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can also cause mesothelioma, which a very painful cancer of the chest and abdominal lining. Studies have shown that mesothelioma rarely occurs without some type of exposure to asbestos. Other types of cancer, primarily of the digestive tract have been associated with asbestos expo sure. The fhajor concern with asbestos exposure is that it is a chronic health hazard. Asbestos-related diseases have long .latency periods and, in almost all cases, da not show up until to 40 years after exposures have occurred. 20 HMBB-0033431 HWBB-0033432 Our current knowledge of asbestos-related health effects is based on the study o-f workers involved in the manufacture and installation of asbestos-containing products from about 1945 to 1970. In retrospect, these workers were exposed to very high airborne concentrations of asbestos dust. The current exposure to employees and building occupants would be expected to be much lower. However, because of the long latency of asbestos-related diseases, we must base our current assessment of potential risk of disease from low levels of exposure on an extrapolation of the relative risk observed in asbestos workers. On this basis, any exposure to airborne asbestos presents a potential disease risk and should be avoided. - --- It must be noted that the physical presence of asbestos in a building does not necessarily present a direct health risk. Asbestos must become airborne and be inhaled to present a poten tial risk. The probability that asbestos will become airborne is dependent upon several factors, primarily the type and the physi cal condition of the material, and its location. The only way to determine if asbestos is present in a build ing and evaluate its potential risk or hazard is to complete an asbestos assessment inspection or survey. This survey should be conducted by a Professional Engineer or Certified Industrial Hygienist having experience and training in asbestos assessment d and control. In some states and localities, a special certifica tion or license is required to provide such services. Analysis of bulk and air samples must be completed by a laboratory that is EPA listed and accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. The asbestos assessment survey has four basic components! - A review of building drawings, specifications, and mainte nance records for references to or indications of the use of asbestos-containing materials -- A complete visual inspection throughout the facility to identify materials suspected as asbestos-containing - The bulk sampling of suspect materials for laboratory determination of their composition and air sampling to determine potential airborne concentrations, in selected cases s -- Preparation of a detailed survey report that identifies the location and extent of asbestos-containing materials that are present, and an evaluation of their condition d O' o \ru N s CD N TZ0ll T> -8 cr ft- 8ft o 3 <*- VI 5 *51 ,3c n I * I/I ft S ft ft W 9 ft" lE ft V) fftt ffttI fftt Q. Oft v l Cfl ru II I < 3* -ft i 8.11 hu S3|c -o T J ? 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