EPA Asbestos Management: The Issue

Read about the EPA Region 7’s analysis of Asbestos Management issues for the Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Tribal Regions.

Asbestos is an inorganic mineral that was routinely used in building construction in the United States until approximately 1980. Common uses included insulation, fire proofing, sound proofing, ceiling and floor tiles, the lining of heating and ventilation ductwork, window glazing, and adhesives.

In a solid and undisturbed state, asbestos poses minimal hazards and is very resilient. However, asbestos is a significant respiratory hazard and carcinogen when damaged and transformed into a dry friable (crumbly) material capable of generating small fibers that may be inhaled.

Due to the widespread use of asbestos and the frequent discovery of damaged and friable asbestos containing materials (ACM) in schools, the federal government adopted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) in 1987. This regulation required that all schools be surveyed for asbestos by a licensed inspector.

In addition, each school system was required to label and identify all ACM present in each school and to prepare and implement a routine inspection and maintenance program to ensure the long term monitoring and maintenance of all ACM.

The intent of AHERA was to control or eliminate the respiratory hazard posed by damaged asbestos in schools by promoting the prompt discovery and removal or encapsulation of these materials.

Also, AHERA required the labeling of all ACM and mandated worker notification for all activities occurring in areas where ACM is present. The federal government hoped that these steps would minimize future disturbances of asbestos as the result of site construction, renovation or utility installation.

Courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency