What is
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.
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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.
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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
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How to remove
Popcorn ceiling (owner occupied- single family residence)?
http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/homeowners/asb-popcorn.pdf
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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
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How to
remove cement asbestos-board siding (owner occupied- single
family residence)?
http://www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/homeowners/asb-siding.pdf
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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
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What Services
are offered by NVL Laboratories, Inc. for Asbestos?
- Asbestos Inspections
- Pre-Purchase Inspections
- Asbestos Sampling
- Contamination Evaluation
- Air (Exposure) Monitoring
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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 least14" 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
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