Asbestos cement shingles: packaging, labeling, and disposing

The following information from the State of Massachusetts pertains to asbestos cement shingles, their packaging, labeling and disposing of the shingles.  Exposure to asbestos is known to cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.

After removal, the wetted asbestos cement shingles must be placed and sealed in leak-tight containers and properly labeled. MassDEP strongly recommends using double containers/bags, which ensures that the waste remains confined in a leak-tight state.

Because asbestos shingles have sharp corners and edges, extra caution should be taken to ensure that the containers/bags are not punctured and remain leak-tight. Woven nylon grain bags or sturdy cardboard boxes are examples of materials resistant to puncturing/ tearing and are suitable for use as inner containers. Workers should avoid overfilling the containers since asbestos cement shingles are heavy and containers may burst if over-loaded. If using grain bags as an inner container, they should be placed into two 6-mil polyethylene asbestos waste bags and sealed with duct tape. Cardboard boxes should either be placed into two 6-mil polyethylene asbestos bags or wrapped in two layers of 6-mil polyethylene and sealed with duct tape. The exterior of each container/bag should be appropriately labeled.

Uncontained asbestos cement shingles should never be bulk loaded into a truck, dumpster or trailer for transport to disposal.

Each container of asbestos waste must be clearly identified with an asbestos warning label. The label must state:

CAUTION
Contains Asbestos
Avoid Opening or Breaking Container
Breathing Asbestos is Hazardous to your Health

The name of the property owner and address of the site of generation also should be on a label on the exterior of the container.

All materials used during the removal of asbestos cement shingles, such as drop cloths or window covers, paper towels, respirator cartridges, disposable protective clothing, etc., are considered asbestos-containing waste material and must be packaged and disposed of in the same manner as the asbestos cement shingles.

Asbestos-containing waste material, including asbestos cement shingles, are classified as a special waste under the provisions of the Massachusetts solid waste regulations. Asbestos cement shingles must be disposed at a landfill that is permitted to accept asbestos waste. The asbestos shingles must be properly packaged and labeled during transport and delivery to the landfill. Asbestos shingles must not be disposed at a transfer station, processing / recycling facility, or municipal waste combustion facility.