Q&A ON ASBESTOS

 

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

"Asbestos" is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven.  These fibers are not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity.  For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used in many industries.  Four types of asbestos have been commonly used:

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 Chrysotile, or white asbestos (curly, flexible white fibers), which accounts for about 90% of the asbestos currently used in industry;
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 Amosite (straight, brittle fibers that are light gray to pale brown in color);
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 Crocidolite, or blue asbestos (straight blue fibers); and
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 Anthophyllite (brittle white fibers).

Asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes.  The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems.

Please note that naturally-occurring asbestos is found in the air and water due to the erosion of rock formations throughout the United States. Therefore, we are all regularly exposed to asbestos.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL (ACM)?

ACM means any material containing more than 1% asbestos.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF PRESUMED ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL (PACM)?

PACM means presumed asbestos-containing material that is thermal system insulation (ACM applied to pipes, fittings, etc. to prevent heat loss or gain) and surfacing material (sprayed or troweled-on to acoustical plaster on ceilings, etc.) found in buildings constructed no later than 1980.  Unless analysis is done on a material to prove it is not asbestos, it should be considered presumed asbestos-containing material.

HOW WAS ASBESTOS USED?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially in North America since the late 1800's, but its use increased greatly during World War II.  Since then, it has been used in many industries.  For example, the building and construction industry uses it for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, fireproofing, and sound absorption.  The shipbuilding industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers, steampipes, hot water pipes, and nuclear reactors in ships.  The automotive industry still uses asbestos in vehicle brakeshoes and clutch pads.  Asbestos is also still used in the space shuttle program, submarines, the manufacturing of chlorine, the production of some floor tile, and is found in asbestos-cement pipe sheet and shingles. More than 5,000 products contain or have contained asbestos, some of which are listed at the end of this document.

In the mid-1970's, several major kinds of asbestos materials, such as spray-applied (troweled-on) insulation, fire proofing, and acoustical surfacing material, were banned by EPA.  In the late 1970's, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety commission banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces because these products released excessive amounts of asbestos fibers into the environment.   In addition, asbestos was voluntarily withdrawn by manufacturers of electric hair dryers.  These and other regulatory actions, coupled with wide spread public concern about the hazards of asbestos, have resulted in a significant annual decline in the use of asbestos in the United States.  In July 1989, EPA promulgated the Asbestos Ban and Phasedown Rule.  The rule applies to new product manufacture, importation, and processing, and essentially bans almost all asbestos-containing products in the U.S.  This rule does not require removal of asbestos containing material currently in place in buildings.  

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH HAZARDS FROM EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS?

Chronic exposure (frequent recurrence or long duration) exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of several serious diseases:

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 Asbestosis - a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness of breath and permanent lung damage and increase the risk of dangerous lung infections;
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 Lung cancer;
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 Mesothelioma - a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen; and
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 Other cancers, such as those of the larynx and of the gastrointestinal tract.

AM I AT RISK IF THERE IS ASBESTOS IN MY BUILDING?

Intact and undisturbed asbestos materials do not pose a health risk.   The mere presence of asbestos in a building does not mean that the health of building occupants is endangered.  Asbestos containing material which is in good condition and is not somehow damaged or disturbed, will not release asbestos fibers into the air.  Scientists say that managing asbestos in-place, rather than removing it, is a prudent approach to minimizing hazards posed by asbestos. Also, according to an EPA study, significantly damaged asbestos- containing material is found primarily in building areas not generally accessible to the public, such as boiler and mechanical rooms.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS?

If the insulation coverings around a horizontal or vertical pipe or fitting is damaged, torn, peeling, missing, or water-stained and it contains a fibrous substance, it may be asbestos.  This fibrous substance may also have fallen below the damaged area, but not always.   Also, if you see troweled-on (sprayed applied) plaster on a wall or ceiling, for example, that is cracked, peeling, or crumbling, it could be damaged asbestos. Those with experience working with or evaluating asbestos-containing material may be able to identify it by visual inspection. However, the only definitive way to be sure a material contains asbestos is to have a core sample analyzed by a competent laboratory.

WHAT DO I DO IF I SEE DAMAGED ASBESTOS?

If you see what you think might be damaged asbestos, do not disturb the material in any way. Avoid cleaning or maintenance activities that may disturb the material. Then, tell your supervisor, Facilities Services, or call the EHRS Department (X8925).  It will then be determined whether a suspect material contains asbestos and the necessary repairs can be performed.  In many cases, it is not possible to readily distinguish between asbestos and non-asbestos forms of the same product.  (i.e., pipe insulation, fireproofing, floor-tiles, etc.) In general, laboratory analysis is required to confirm whether or not a material contains asbestos.

All sudden releases and spills of asbestos containing materials must be cleaned up immediately and only by certified and trained individuals.  Some of our Facilities Services personnel are certified for minor patching, repair, and clean-up work. .

Anyone working with asbestos (repairing, removing, encapsulating, cleaning spills, etc.) must be trained and certified in proper asbestos abatement work practices. Asbestos workers must participate in a medical surveillance program and must be qualified and approved to use respiratory protection.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FLOOR TILES THAT CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

Floor tile installed after 1980 probably does not contain asbestos.   However, some of our older buildings have asbestos vinyl floor tile.  The asbestos fibers are bound in a matrix which prevents their release to the air.  Therefore, these materials present even less of an exposure hazard, unless the material is sanded, cut or abraded.  That is why the sanding of these tiles is prohibited.  Only low abrasion pads and wet methods may be used when buffing these floors.  Speeds must be lower than 300 rpm.  However, if the floor has sufficient finish, brushing or dry buffing is permissable.

Floor tile that contains asbestos should only be removed by certified and trained employees.  Specific approved procedures from the City of Philadelphia need to be followed to remove these asbestos vinyl floor tiles.   These procedures assure that the tile remains intact during removal.  (i.e., flooding, dry ice or heat guns)  If a chipping procedure needs to be done to remove the tile, or the tiles are breaking up, all work must stop because the asbestos is now friable.  More strigent regulations kick-in at this point to protect employees performing the work and to protect the occupants in the building. (i.e., permits, work area preparation standards, air monitoring)  Remember that the mastic (glue) under the floor tile may also contain asbestos. If it needs to be removed, it must also be done properly. Contact the EHRS Department for additional information.

It is strongly recommended by the City of Philadelphia that no matter what method of floor tile removal is used that clearance air sampling be conducted and critical barriers be used. It is the current policy of USP to hire licensed and qualified contractors to perform this work and to perform other abatement work on campus.

WHERE ARE THE OSHA REGULATIONS REGARDING ASBESTOS FOUND?

29 Code of Federal Regulations at http://www.osha.gov and click on standards in the right hand column. These regulations are also available in the EHRS Department for anyone to see.  Copies are available upon request.

WHERE ARE THE LOCATIONS OF OUR ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS?

The University has documents which contain information on the materials, or areas in buildings, that contain asbestos or are presumed to contain asbestos.  This information is kept on file in the Facilities Services Department and in the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) Department.  This must be updated as new information becomes available. In the older buildings (pre-1980), there may be pipes and fittings insulated with asbestos. There may also be asbestos vinyl floor tiles and asbestos mastic (glue) under the tiles, some fume hood panels, and the lining of the cabinets underneath the hoods, that may contain asbestos. Older laboratory benches should be presumed to have asbestos in them until they are tested.  If you a facilities services employee, talk to your supervisor regarding specific areas.  If you are unsure, always consider it to be presumed asbestos containing material until it is tested, or confirmed to be non-asbestos through documented records on file. 

The following is a list of products, developed by the EPA, that may contain asbestos.

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 Cement Pipes
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 Elevator Brake Shoes
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 Cement Wallboard
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 HVAC Duct Insulation
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 Cement Siding
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 Boiler Insulation
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 Asphalt Floor Tile
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 Breeching Insulation
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 Vinyl Floor Tile
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 Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections
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 Vinyl Sheet Flooring
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 Cooling Towers
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 Flooring Backing
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 Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
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 Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
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 Heating and Electrical Ducts
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 Acoustical Plaster
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 Electrical Panel Partitions
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 Decorative Plaster
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 Electrical Cloth
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 Textured Paints/Coatings
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 Electric Wiring Insulation
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 Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
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 Chalkboards
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 Spray-Applied Insulation
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 Roofing Shingles
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 Blown-In Insulation
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 Roofing Felt
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 Fireproofing Materials
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 Base Flashing
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 Taping Compounds (thermal)
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 Thermal Paper Products
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 Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
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 Fire Doors
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 High Temperature Gaskets
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 Caulking/Putties
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 Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops
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 Adhesives
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 Laboratory Gloves
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 Wallboard
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 Fire Blankets
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 Joint Compounds
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 Fire Curtains
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 Vinyl Wall Coverings
  •  
 Elevator Equipment Panels
  •  
 Spackling Compounds

Whenever an asbestos repair, removal, encapsulation, or enclosure job will be performed on campus an "Asbestos Notification Form" must be submitted to the EHRS Department prior to the beginning of the work.   Copies of air monitoring clearance samples and bulk samples, City permits and notifications, final reports, asbestos inspection reports, waste manifests, worker certifications and trainings must also be submitted to the EHRS Department. This will assure that records required by the U.S. EPA are available for review. Additionally, when there are asbestos concerns on campus, the EHRS Department can respond accordingly.

WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE WHEN MANAGING ASBESTOS IN BUILDINGS?

A visual inspection of all asbestos containing materials (ACM) should be conducted at regular intervals.  This is a requirement of having an effective Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Program. These inspections should help ensure that any ACM damage or deterioration will be detected so that corrective action can be taken. This is performed by trained Facilities Services staff.

WHY DO I NEED ASBESTOS AWARENESS TRAINING?

Custodial and maintenance workers are required by OSHA and EPA to have asbestos awareness training annually.  This is because simple maintenance and cleaning tasks may accidentally disturb asbestos containing materials.  (For example, improperly taking care of asbestos floor tiles, putting in a new light fixture that may damage asbestos, a floor buffer hitting an insulated pipe, drilling into a wall or ceiling that contains asbestos, etc.)  Therefore, custodial and maintenance employees need to be trained on the hazards of asbestos, recognition of the signs of damage and deterioration of asbestos containing materials, locations of asbestos containing materials and presumed asbestos containing materials in the buildings, work practices, and procedures for reporting possible fiber release episodes.

Click here for the Safety Manual's Asbestos Removal Policy.

If anyone has any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EHRS Department at X8925.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia • 600 South Forty-third Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 • phone: 215-596-8800 • email: safety@usip.edu