What does the law say about Asbestos?
What are some Asbestos containing materials in a house?
How to remove Popcorn ceiling (owner occupied- single family residence)?
How to remove cement asbestos-board siding (owner occupied- single family residence)?
Where do I take friable/ non-friable asbestos-containing waste for disposal?
What Services are offered by NVL Laboratories, Inc. for Asbestos?
How do I collect samples for Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was included in many older building products for strength, insulation and fire resistance. In good condition, these products are not a hazard. They become a hazard only if they are disturbed. They release Asbestos fiber which remain in the lungs for years if inhaled, and as a result may cause various lung diseases.
Even though Asbestos containing materials cannot be manufactured in the United States by law, the materials imported from abroad may contain Asbestos. Therefore, there are fair chances of finding Asbestos in the newly constructed buildings as well.
What does the law say about Asbestos?
The law requires that a good faith inspection be performed before authorizing remodeling, demolition, or repair projects. According to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Regulation III, Article 4.02(a), it requires an “Asbestos Survey” Before the renovation or demolition of a building. The Agency defines an “Asbestos Survey” as a written report describing an inspection using the procedures contained in EPA Regulations (40CFR 763.86)…”. However, this EPA regulation addresses only sampling protocol with an emphasis on numbers of samples to be collected by an “Accredited Inspector” under different survey conditions, and a requirement for “random” sample collection.
This guidance is also intended to clarify
when an “Asbestos Building Inspector” is required for a survey,
destructive
investigations, and minimal reporting requirements.
The checklist is a field document intended to assist AHERA building inspectors
on the construction considerations of the building being surveyed, inspection
scope and sampling protocol.
NVL Labs is an accredited laboratory and is equipped with certified building
inspectors and analysts to meet your needs.
What are some Asbestos containing materials in a house?
- Spray-on ceiling textures (e.g. popcorn ceiling) and fireproofing
- Insulation on steam pipes, boilers and furnace ducts
- Resilient flooring (vinyl tile/sheet products)
- Cement Shake siding and roofing shingles
- Patching and joint compounds
The following sketch shows where you might find asbestos at home:
How to remove Popcorn ceiling (owner occupied- single family residence)?
http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/homeowners/asb-popcorn.pdf
How to properly remove sheet vinyl flooring with asbestos backing (owner occupied- single family residence)?
http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/homeowners/asb-vinyl.pdf
How to remove cement asbestos-board siding (owner occupied- single family residence)?
http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/homeowners/asb-siding.pdf
Where do I take friable/ non-friable asbestos-containing waste for disposal?
Take asbestos-containing waste (friable/non-friable) to an Asbestos Disposal Waste Facility authorized to receive the waste. For more information go to: http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/disposal.aspx
What Services are offered by NVL Laboratories, Inc. for Asbestos?
- Asbestos Inspections
- Pre-Purchase Inspections
- Asbestos Sampling
- Contamination Evaluation
- Air (Exposure) Monitoring
How do I collect samples for Asbestos?
POPCORN CEILING
- Thoroughly wet the area where you plan to take the sample to reduce potential fiber release.
- Scrape off about a teaspoon of material into a sample container, such as a zip-lock bag or a plastic vial (US postage regulations require that Asbestos testing sample containers must be at least1?4” high. Send your sample in a box, or in a bubble wrap envelope)
- Label each bag or container with location and type of material you sampled (kitchen sheet vinyl) and the date
- When finished sampling remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly
VINYL FLOORING
- Thoroughly wet the area where you plan to take the sample to reduce potential fiber release.
- Use a sharp tool to cut through all layers of the material. Cut about 1 square inch and place the sample in a zip-lock bag
- Use separate bags for each individual sample
- Label each bag or container with location and type of material you sampled (kitchen sheet vinyl) and the date
- When finished sampling remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly
HEATING SYSTEM INSULATION
- Thoroughly wet the area where you plan to take the sample to reduce potential fiber release.
- Use a sharp tool to cut through all layers of the material. Cut about 1 square inch and place the sample in a zip-lock bag
- Use separate bags for each individual sample
- Label each bag or container with location and type of material you sampled (kitchen sheet vinyl) and the date
- When finished sampling remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly
ROOFING, SIDING OR OTHER FLAT MATERIALS
- Thoroughly wet the area where you plan to take the sample to reduce potential fiber release.
- Use a sharp tool to cut through all layers of the material. Cut about 1 square inch and place the sample in a zip-lock bag
- Use separate bags for each individual sample
- Label each bag or container with location and type of material you sampled (kitchen sheet vinyl) and the date
- When finished sampling remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly