Dealing with Asbestos during the Remodeling Process

Asbestos Mineral Natural occurring mineral Mined in open pits or underground Three largest asbestos producers are Canada, China and Brazil Asbestos is: a naturally occurring mineral Mines like other minerals – open pit or underground The largest producers of asbestos are Canada, China and Brazil

What is Asbestos? Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth. The different types of asbestos are: Amosite Chrysotile Tremolite Actinolite Anthophyllite Crocidolite

What is Asbestos? Chrysotile (white) is the most common Amosite (brown / off-white), or Crocidolite (blue) as well.

Common Types of Asbestos Chrysotile Amosite Crocidolite The three common types of asbestos mined are: Chrysotile Amosite Crocidolite The four type of asbestos, Tremolite/Actinolite, are associated with vermiculite and only came into the “lime light” recently with the Libby, MT vermiculite mine and the processing plants throughout the US and particularly the processing plant in NE Mpls. Note the coloration of the top three mineral types – white (chrysotile), brown (amosite), blue (crocidolite)

Chrysotile Asbestos Raw form of chrysotile and how it is seen under a micorscope. Wavy.

Amosite Asbestos Raw form of amosite and how it is seen under the microscope.

Crocidolite Asbestos Raw form of crocidolite – bluish/green

Tremolite Asbestos Raw form of tremolite

Asbestos Properties Heat, cold and sound insulator Tensile strength Resistant to chemicals Asbestos is a great insulator, very strong and very resistant to chemicals. That’s some of the reasons it’s such a great product and why it was used in so many materials.

Asbestos Properties Asbestos fibers are also virtually indestructible They are resistant to chemicals and heat, and they are very stable in the environment They do not evaporate into air or dissolve in water, and they are not broken down over time Asbestos is probably the best insulator known to man

Asbestos Products Adhesives and mastics Appliance components Brake linings Gaskets Joint Compound Ceiling tiles Cement pipes Packing material Chalkboards Clutch facings Cooling towers Ducts Electrical Elevator components Filters Transite Fire blankets/curtains Fire doors Floor tile Flooring Galbestos Insulation Caulking Lab gloves, hoods, tables, sinks Lamp socket collars Plaster Paints, Coatings Stucco Roofing Spackling Thermal paper/tape Wall coverings Wallboard/Sheetrock Here’s just a small list of building materials or components where asbestos may be found. ACM is not totally banned from use in the US. The only products banned are thermal system insulation such as pipe and boiler insulations, and sprayed-on applications such as fireproofing and textured ceilings. Still found in brake and clutch linings, floor tiles/linoleums, adhesives/mastics, joint compounds and even sheetrock. Be cautious of imported building materials and products. Not all products list asbestos as an ingredient; some don’t list it at all, others may list it as a natural fiber. We have a few asbestos-containing materials in a display case, please take time to look at it.

Aerodynamic Properties Because asbestos fibers are so small, once released into the air, they may stay suspended there for hours or even days (i.e. 72 hours)

When is Asbestos Dangerous? The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing.

When is Asbestos Dangerous? Asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested Many of the fibers will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers can cause health problems

When is Asbestos Dangerous? Damage and deterioration will increase the friability of asbestos-containing materials. Water damage, continual vibration, aging, and physical impact such as drilling, grinding, buffing, cutting, sawing, or striking can break the materials down making fiber release more likely

Problems with Asbestos Breaks into fibers versus dust Aerodynamic Unable to detect visually or by smell The problem with asbestos is that it breaks into fibers instead of dust like other minerals. These fibers are very aerodynamic and are easily taken into the lungs during normal breathing. When these fibers are airborne they are invisible to the naked eye and there is no smell associated with them.

Health Effects Because it is so hard to destroy asbestos fibers, the body cannot break them down or remove them once they are lodged in lung or body tissues. They remain in place where they can cause disease There are three primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure: Asbestosis Lung Cancer Mesothelioma

Health Effects of Asbestos Healthy Lungs Asbestosis Mesothelioma When these fibers become airborne, you breath them in and the fibers become lodged in lung tissue. The fibers usually lodge in the air sacs where the normal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is done. One disease is known as asbestosis. Asbestosis is when the air sacs become scarred by the body trying to rid itself of a foreign object. Scar tissue develops around the fiber. This scarring doesn’t allow for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Slow suffocation. Asbestos is a known carcinogen with no known safe level of exposure. Lung cancer is a cancer that develops within the lung. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung. Biggest problem with asbestos-related diseases is the latency period, or the time it takes the disease to manifest itself once there’s been asbestos exposure. If asbestos made people ill in a couple of days, people would be a lot more cautious around it. Long time Minnesota congressman Bruce Vento died of mesothelioma in 2000. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2000 and underwent extreme chemotherapy, including removal of one lung and then filling the cavity with a chemotherapy wash. He also underwent radiation treatments. Congressman Vento died in October of 2000, roughly 8 months after the initial diagnosis.

Defense Mechanisms Nose and Mouth Mucous Lined Breathing Passages Cilia in Trachea The body has natural defense mechanisms which help eliminate asbestos fibers and other particles before they become lodged in the lung tissue where the contaminants remain. Many particles are stopped by the nose and mouth. The breathing passages are lined with a sticky mucous layer that traps small particles. Lining the bronchial tubes are hair-like projections (cilia) that continuously move the mucous layer towards the mouth for expectoration.

Smoking Impact Impairs Body’s Defense Mechanism Increased Risk of Lung Cancer How many of you currently smoke? Well I’m sure you are all aware of the hazards associated with smoking so I won’t get into that but something you may not be aware of is studies show that smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have an increased risk of lung cancer which is 50-55 times that of a non-exposed non-smoker. Non-smokers who are exposed to asbestos have a risk of 5 times that of non-exposed non-smokers. One explanation for this is that cigarette smoke greatly impairs the human body’s defense mechanism by paralyzing the cilia. This allows asbestos fibers and other contaminants to reach the lungs and this is where they cause damage.

Relationship Between Smoking and Asbestos Risk of Lung Cancer 2% - Non smoker with no asbestos exposure 5% - Non smoker with asbestos exposure 10% - Smoker with no asbestos exposure 50% - Smoker with asbestos exposure Smoking greatly increases your chances of developing an asbestos-related lung disease.

Asbestosis Asbestosis is a serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. Inhaled asbestos fibers aggravate lung tissues, which cause them to scar. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. In its advanced stages, the disease may cause cardiac failure. Why?

Asbestosis There is no effective treatment for asbestosis; the disease is usually disabling or fatal. The risk of asbestosis is minimal for those who do not work with asbestos; the disease is rarely caused by neighborhood or family exposure Those who renovate or demolish buildings that contain asbestos may be at significant risk, depending on the nature of the exposure and precautions taken

Lung Cancer Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. The incidence of lung cancer in people who are directly involved in the mining, milling, manufacturing and use of asbestos and its products is much higher than in the general population The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia

Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that most often occurs in the thin membrane lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and (rarely) heart. About 200 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Virtually all cases of mesothelioma are linked with asbestos exposure. Approximately 2 percent of all miners and textile workers who work with asbestos, and 10 percent of all workers who were involved in the manufacture of asbestos-containing gas masks, contract mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma People who work in asbestos mines, asbestos mills and factories, and shipyards that use asbestos, as well as people who manufacture and install asbestos insulation, have an increased risk of mesothelioma So do people who live with asbestos workers, near asbestos mining areas, near asbestos product factories or near shipyards where use of asbestos has produced large quantities of airborne asbestos fibers

Other Cancers Evidence suggests that cancers in the esophagus, larynx, oral cavity, stomach, colon and kidney may be caused by ingesting asbestos

Famous Persons – Mesothelioma Steve McQueen Warren Zevon Bruce Vento Paul Gleason Bob Miner Terrence McCann Merlin Olsen

What Is An Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)? Any material that is >1% asbestos Thermal System Insulation (TSI): pipe, boiler, duct & furnace insulation Surfacing Materials: plaster & textured ceilings Miscellaneous Materials: siding & floor tile Over 3,000 products may contain asbestos TSI includes pipe lagging, boiler insulation, duct insulation. Surfacing materials are troweled or sprayed on, like fireproofing or popcorn ceiling texture. Everything else is a miscellaneous material: floor tile, roofing, gaskets, etc.

MDH Definition of Friable Material "Friable asbestos material" means any material containing more than one percent asbestos by microscopic visual estimation by area, that hand pressure can crumble, pulverize, or reduce to powder when dry. Friable means being able to break up a material with hand pressure when it’s in a dry state.

MDH Definition of Friable Material Friable asbestos material includes previously non-friable asbestos material which becomes damaged to the extent that when dry all or a portion of the material may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Floor tiles are generally considered a nonfriable material. Here’s an example of floor tiles that have been rendered friable. The first photo show floor tile coming up with the carpeting. Note that there is considerable breakage of the tiles. The second photo is floor tile that was rendered friable when removing it with hand tools. Any mechanical means of removing the floor tile is automatically regulated by MDH and MPCA if it over 160 sq ft.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials Insulation around heating, air and water systems Insulation materials such as pipe insulation or insulation on air ducts. The insulation on air ducts may completely cover the air duct with an insulating paper or a tape may be used that only covers the seams of the air ducts.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials Wall and ceiling insulation (vermiculite) Here’s an example of vermiculite insulation. It has the appearance of being granular or “popped” and is mica-looking – shiny.

Vermiculite Has been used in approximately 2.5 - 16 million homes. Recently identified as being contaminated with asbestos. May not be “regulated”, but has shown to create a health hazard in the form of high airborne fiber concentrations in materials with low asbestos concentrations.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials Fireproofed Ceiling Space Here an example of sprayed-on fireproofing above a suspended ceiling.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials Textured ceilings and ceiling tiles Here are examples of a textured ceiling and ceiling tiles/panels.

Common Asbestos-Containing Material Floor tiles and linoleum backing Floor tiles and associated mastic. The backing of floor linoleums.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials Transite roofing, siding, panels, and flue pipes Transite corrugated roofing panels, siding and flat panels.

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials Plasters and joint compounds This is a picture of new construction, but it gives you an idea that if the joint compound does contain, there is a fair amount of it in a wall system.

Example of Category I Nonfriable: Vinyl Floor Tile

Friable: Vinyl Floor Tile Example of Category I Friable: Vinyl Floor Tile This is an example of improper work practices. Floor tile removal and the tiles were rendered friable.

Linoleum/Vinyl Sheet Flooring – Backing Generally Friable

Linoleum/Vinyl Sheet Flooring – Backing Generally Friable

Example of Category II: Not Regulated Unless Broken Transite board (Johns Mansville)

Textured Ceiling Spray – Friable

Milboard (Black Paper Layer) – Friable

Insulation on Pipes – Friable

Preformed Pipe Wrap – Friable

Heating-system Insulation – Friable

High-temp Insulation – Friable

Mud-pack on Elbow – Friable

Transite Pipe – Regulated When Broken

Insulation – Friable (tape and wrap may be asbestos)

Roofing (Category I) – Usually Not Friable

Asbestos Building Surveys MPCA and MNOSHA require surveys When there is no survey When the survey does not include the material that will be disturbed Surveys must be completed by a MN certified asbestos inspector MDH rules define sampling and reporting protocols The MPCA and MNOSHA require building surveys prior to building materials being disturbed due to renovation or demolition projects. MDH requires that these surveys be done by a certified asbestos inspector who in turns completes the survey and report according to MDH rules.

Building Survey Report Must contain exact locations of all asbestos-containing materials (ACM) Must be signed and dated by the MN certified inspector Must include a copy of the MN certified inspector’s certification If you hire a company or individual to conduct a building survey or to test specific building materials to determine if they contain asbestos, they must provide you with a report. On demolition projects, some receive a completed copy of MPCA’s demolition form. The report must contain at a minimum these three items. - exact locations of the ACM - signed and dated by the cert inspector(s) - a copy of their inspector certification (hardcard)

Asbestos Bulk Sampling

Regulated Asbestos Work Material is greater than 1% asbestos by microscopic determination Material is Friable Material amounts are greater than 160 square feet, 260 linear feet, 35 cubic feet in a commercial setting or greater than 6 square feet, 10 linear feet, 1 cubic foot in a residential setting

Regulation of ACM in Minnesota? Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Protects Public Health Minnesota Statues, sections 326.70 – 326.81 Minnesota Rules, parts 4620.3000 – 4620.3724 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Protects the Environment Environmental Protection Agency – Title 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry (MNOSHA) Protects Workers US Dept of Labor & Industry – Title 29 CFR Part 1926.1101 The reason asbestos materials are regulated is because of the diseases that are caused by it. MDH protects the health of the general public. MPCA protects the environment and thus also protecting the health of the general public MNOSHA protects the health of the employee Included are the federal and state regulations that pertain to asbestos for each agency.

Regulated Asbestos Work Requires the following: Notification of the Project Use of Appropriate Work Practices Use of Licensed Asbestos Contractors Use of Certified Asbestos Disciplines

Asbestos Abatement Activities Encapsulation Enclosure Removal Occasionally asbestos material must be abated because of the condition of the material presents a significant health risk or because of a renovation or demolition. Asbestos abatement activities include removal, enclosure (airtight, impermeable, permanent barrier around asbestos-containing materials to prevent the release of asbestos fibers) or encapsulation (treatment of asbestos-containing materials with a material that surrounds or embeds asbestos fibers in an adhesive matrix to prevent the release of fibers, as the encapsulant creates a membrane over the surface or penetrates the material and binds its components together) of asbestos-containing material. All abatement activities must be performed in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and University rules and regulations and can only be performed by accredited personnel (received special training and passed certification exam).

Asbestos Abatement Activities Survey to identify ACM? Specifications/project design Notification Work Area Containment Posting of Work Areas Engineering Controls/PPE Air Monitoring – I/O Disposal of ACM Waste Clearance Testing Prior to initiation of any renovation or abatement project, the area must first be inspected to determine if there are any asbestos-containing materials that may be disturbed in the course of the project. Inspection must be conducted by an accredited inspector. If asbestos is identified, an accredited asbestos designer may be needed to design the abatement project to make sure it complies with all applicable health and safety rules and regulations. Prior to the project, permits must be obtained from the State and building occupants must be notified of what will be done and when it will take place. The contractor will construct a containment area to separate the work area from surrounding occupied areas. These containment areas will be posted with warning signs. You should not enter these areas. The contractor will use engineering controls to protect employees and building occupants. They will set up negative air machines so if there are any leaks in the containment it will be inward instead of out into clean areas. Employees working in these areas will use PPE for protection so if you see men in white suits and respirators you will know what’s going on. Air monitoring will be conducted before, during and after the project to assure the containment area and surrounding areas safe for occupancy.

Who Can Remove Asbestos-Containing Materials? MDH and MPCA requires MN licensed asbestos abatement contractors to: Submit a notification Employ and use certified workers and supervisors Comply with MDH work practices MDH allows homeowners to do own removal in the residence they live in and own MNOSHA requires a competent person at a minimum MDH and MPCA require licensed asbestos contractors to remove regulated ACM. MDH allows homeowners to only remove ACM in their single-family home that they own and reside in. This doesn’t apply if they own the property, but don’t live there; or, if there are multiple rental units or renting a room within the residence. If the homeowner wants to hire the work out or if a property owner needs ACM removed from their property, a MN licensed contractor must be hired to conduct the work. For commercial/industrial sites, the asbestos contractor must submit a notification to MDH and MPCA several days prior to starting work. MDH is also notified for residential projects. When MDH is notified of an abatement project, a permit is issued. The contractor must use only workers and supervisors that have completed the proper training and meet other qualifications and in turn are certified by MDH. These individuals must then conduct the work as specified in the MN Asbestos Abatement Rules. MNOSHA has varying requirements when dealing with any type of ACM (friable and nonfriable). A competent person is always required to be at the work site.

Suspect Material – ACM? Before starting a project make sure that asbestos-containing material will not be disturbed Assume all suspect material contains asbestos if no data If you encounter suspect material when performing work STOP immediately

What To Do? If you see something that strikes you as wrong or suspicious, do not enter the area Instruct other workers, contractors and building occupants to stay out of the area Contact MDH, MPCA or MNOSHA My objective today is to ask you not to put yourself or any one else in harms way. If you see someone disturbing asbestos, or discover improperly removed asbestos, get out of the area, inform others who may enter that area of the situation and call one of the agencies immediately. The sooner an agency is notified of an incident the better that they are able to protect you, public health and the environment. The following slides are examples of things gone wrong. The agencies make it a point to respond to these types of situations the day they are notified or the following day. If you notify an agency of a possible illegal act, your identity is kept confidential. Or, you may leave an anonymous call and not even provide your name or contact information. Just realize that the agency will be unable to follow up with you if necessary during the investigation.

Agency Assistance Provide clarification/interpretation of regulations Assist property owners or contracting entities in understanding their responsibilities Assist licensed asbestos contractors and other contractors in maintaining compliance with the regulations Provide lists of: licensed asbestos contractors environmental consulting firms analytical laboratories Hazardous waste landfills Provide compliance history Explain regulations as they pertain to the project, or guide party to the proper agency. Explain what the building contractor or property owner is responsible for prior to work starting or in hiring abatement contractors. Able to provide lists of: Abatement contractors Environmental consulting firms that can provide inspectors, designer and management planners Laboratories to perform asbestos bulk, air and dust analysis. Landfills that can accept asbestos (MPCA list) Provide compliance history

Why does MDH conduct compliance inspections? To determine compliance with the Minnesota Asbestos Abatement Act and Rules To protect Public Health and the Environment

Agency Inspections Three Primary Types Pre-Project (variance) Scheduled (based on notifications) Complaint (workers, contractor, homeowner) Pre-project inspections are usually conducted by MDH and MPCA due to variance requests by the abatement contractor. Scheduled inspections are done by MDH and MPCA based on the notifications submitted to the agencies by the abatement or demolition contractors. Inspections conducted due to complaints received are done by all three agencies. Complainant information is considered confidential and will not be released.

How are violations determined? Violations are identified On-site observation Through project documentation review

An insulated pipe removed from its original location An insulated pipe removed from its original location. Note the insulation debris now on the floor.

Inappropriate removal practices.

Failure to properly clean abated surfaces.

Failure to properly clean abated surfaces.

Pipe insulation removed from a residential heating system and found in the backyard.

Open a garage door and “Surprise”!

What are the Types of Violations? Administrative Violations Work Practice Violations

Common Administrative Violations Certification (Hard Card) Issues Expired Not On Site License, Permit, Notification Issues Project Plan Issues Incomplete Manometer Record Issues Not Recorded Missing Records 1. The most common Hard Card Violation MDH sees is the “30–Day Grace Period” violation. Workers (and Supervisors) are given 30 days from the date of the training course to work on an expired hard card, not 30 days from the expiration date of the hard card. And the documentation needs to be immediately submitted to MDH after the course is taken, not after MDH inspectors arrive on-site and send you home. 2. The most common License, Permit or Notification issues are that the License, Permit or Notification is not on site. 3. The most common Project Plan issue is that the entire plan is not completed prior to removal beginning or that portions of the plan are not completed prior to removal beginning. Glove bag operations, Mini-containments and “Wrap-and-Cut” projects all require project plans as well… 4. The most common Manometer Records issue is that the manometer is out of paper or ink when it is brought on site, and the contractor immediately starts hand-written records rather than getting a working manometer on site. Or the manometer is not being regularly checked and 8 hours worth of readings are recorded on ¼” of paper…

Common Work Practice Violations Installation of Critical Barriers Containment Decontamination Units Removal of ACM Completion of Abatement Glove Bag Procedures Facility Component Removal (Wrap and Cut) Air Monitoring

What Causes Violations? Multiple Distractions Working Too Fast Working Carelessly Relying On The Hygienist Supervisors may have crews working in multiple areas of a facility or be working with one crew while another goes off by itself… Crews are working too fast to turn areas over to other trades or to get off site early… Crews cutting corners and not following the prescribed work practices… Relying on the hygienist to do your job of inspecting the work area. If material is left behind, the responsibility falls on the contractor and the site supervisor, rarely the consultant and the hygienist…

Questions? MDH – 651-201-4620 www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos MPCA – 651-296-6300 http://www.pca.state.mn.us MNOSHA – 651-284-5050 http://www.doli.state.mn.us Here are the agencies’ phone numbers and websites. Questions?