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SUMMARY OF THE ASBESTOS PROGRAM
There are a number of laws that govern how asbestos materials are to be handled in schools, public and commercial buildings, including buildings that are to be demolished or undergoing major renovations. The laws that govern asbestos management and removal under the Environmental Protection Agency include: the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)  , the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (NESHAP).The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has published information about the health effects that may result from exposure to asbestos.
AHERA mandated that EPA develop regulations to respond to asbestos in schools. To implement this mandate, EPA promulgated the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule. This rule requires all private and public non-profit elementary and secondary schools to inspect their schools for asbestos-containing materials (ACBM), develop a plan to manage the asbestos for each school building, notify parents and staff regarding the management plan availability, provide asbestos awareness training to school maintenance and custodial workers, and implement timely actions to deal with dangerous asbestos situations. EPA Region 10 has available a list of the responsibilities of the school asbestos coordinator (AHERA Designated Person), model forms, and a list of laboratories which are approved by EPA to conduct asbestos analysis.
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ASHARA, passed in 1990, required accreditation of personnel working on asbestos activities in schools, public and commercial buildings. Specifically, the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (40 CFR Part 763, Appendix C) (59 FR 5236-5260, February 3, 1994) required the use of accredited inspectors, workers, supervisors, project designers, and management planners (schools only) when conducting asbestos activities at schools, public and commercial buildings. EPA has a list of AHERA accredited training providers located in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, a list of states with approved accreditation programs, a list of states which will review applications from out of state training providers, and a list of model AHERA courses available from National Technical Information Service for a fee. EPA strongly recommends that asbestos-related activities conducted at public and commercial buildings follow the protocol for management and removal of asbestos-containing materials described in the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule (40 CFR part 763)(52 FR 41826-41898).
The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (NESHAP), under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, establishes work practices to minimize the release of asbestos fibers during activities involving the processing, handling, and disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing material when a building is being demolished or renovated. The requirements and standards are described in 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M.
EPA Region 10's Public Environmental Resource Center maintains a video lending library and distributes asbestos documents for those residing in Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. If you reside outside these states, contact the Regional Asbestos Coordinator which covers your state for documents, videos or inquiries. EPA Region 10 developed a list of commonly requested asbestos documents available for distribution. The Public Environmental Resource Center can be reached through calling (206) 553-1200 or 1-800-424-4EPA (AK, ID, OR, WA only).
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For questions or comments:
The fax number for AHERA is (206) 553-8509 and for NESHAP is (206) 553-0110.
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For all documents below that are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format, you can get a FREE copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader by going to:
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WHAT'S NEW IN ASBESTOS?
EPA To Oversee Asbestos Removal at North Ridge Estates - May 22, 2003, EPA Region 10 Press Release
National Consumer Awareness Campaign Launched on Vermiculite Insulation - May 21, 2003, EPA Press Release
Asbestos Contamination in Vermiculite - EPA National Website - Provides updated Fact Sheets & Reports
Asbestos Strategies report, Global Environment & Technology Foundation
Upcoming AHERA Trainings in EPA Region 10
7/17/01 - Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Fact Sheet
STATUTES AND REGULATIONS
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA)
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (NESHAP)
Asbestos Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
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GUIDANCE, POLICY INTERPRETATIONS, AND MODEL FORMS
An Analysis of OSHA and EPA Regulations, Policies and Guidance on Asbestos-Containing Resilient Floor Coverings and Associated Adhesives
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AHERA
AHERA Interpretative Guidance Table
Policy Clarification: Removal of Vinyl Asbestos Tiles as an AHERA Response Action
AHERA Designated Person List of Responsibilities
Definition of Small-Scale, Short Duration Activities
Model Forms for Schools (Notification to Parents, etc., Periodic Surveillance and Short-Term Worker Notification) Model Form: AHERA Designated Person Statement of Responsibilities
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NESHAP-Information for Asbestos Removal contractors
Asbestos NESHAP Fact Sheet 
Region 10 Information Contacts for the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
NESHAP Notification for Demolitions and Renovations (Qs and As and Forms)
Background Document to the Asbestos NESHAP
Local Air Pollution Agencies In Washington State
Common Questions on the Asbestos NESHAP
Asbestos NESHAP Adequately Wet Guidance
Demolition Practices Under the Asbestos NESHAP
Asbestos NESHAP Regulated Asbestos Containing Materials Guidance
Reporting and Record keeping Requirements for Waste Disposal
National Asbestos Registry System (NARS): may be used by building owners to assist in evaluating which asbestos contractors should be hired or by the general public to determine the compliance history of asbestos contractors working at a specific locale
Applicability Determination Index (a database that contains memoranda issued by EPA on applicability and compliance issues associated with asbestos NESHAP)
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OSHA
OSHA - The Asbestos Advisor (software utility)
OSHA Fact Sheet on Better Protection Against Asbestos in the Workplace
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HEALTH RISK AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
Asbestos Contamination in Vermiculite
Asbestos Strategies report, Global Environment & Technology Foundation
7/17/01 - Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Fact Sheet
Asbestos Worker Protection - Final Rule (40 CFR Part 763)
Asbestos and Your Health
Health Impacts of Asbestos in Your Drinking Water (consumer fact sheet) (technical fact sheet)
Asbestos References in Envirofacts Warehouse
Clarification on Ban of Asbestos-Containing Materials
European Union Broadens Asbestos Ban
European Communities -- Measures Affecting Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos: Provides the US's views as an interested third party in the proceeding regarding the complaint brought by Canada against the European Communities concerning France's regulation of asbestos.
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TRAINING AND ACCREDITATION
Upcoming AHERA Trainings in EPA Region 10
List of AHERA Accredited Training Providers on the EPA HQ Directory
List of States With Approved Accreditation Programs
List of States Which Will Review Applications from Out of State AHERA Training Providers
List of Model AHERA Courses
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SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
Improved Method for Analysis of Asbestos in Bulk Samples
List of Laboratories Approved by EPA to Conduct Asbestos Analyses (PLM Bulk Sample Analysis, TEM Analysis for Air Clearance)
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INFORMATION FOR HOMEOWNERS
National Consumer Awareness Campaign Launched on Vermiculite Insulation - May 21, 2003, EPA Press Release
Asbestos Contamination in Vermiculite - EPA National Website - Provides updated Fact Sheets & Reports
List of Suspect Asbestos-Containing Building Materials
Environmental Hazards in the Home
Asbestos in the Home
How to Deal with Asbestos in Your Home Located in Oregon
Asbestos and Your Health
Health Impacts of Asbestos in Your Drinking Water (consumer fact sheet) (technical fact sheet)
CPSC Warns About Asbestos in Consumer Products:
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NEWSLETTERS AND AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS
EPA Region 10 Asbestos Newsletter (Volume 2, March 2004) - (PDF, 805Kb, 4 pages)
AHERA News - EPA Region 10
List of Commonly Requested Asbestos Documents
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ENFORCEMENT
Online Targeting Information System (OTIS) for Registered States and Federal Agencies
Online Targeting Information System (OTIS) Public Access Homepage
EPA's Compliance and Enforcement Assurance Office
Policy on supplemental environmental projects (SEPs)
Self-disclosure policy
Selected Enforcement Cases
Resources for Small Businesses
Tips and Complaints: How to Report Environmental Violations
Administrative Law Judge Decisions Regarding EPA Enforcement Cases
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OTHER ASBESTOS WEBSITES
Asbestos Contamination in Vermiculite
Asbestos Strategies report, Global Environment & Technology Foundation
Asbestos (TSCA) Hotline
National EPA Asbestos Homepage
EPA Region 10's Public Environmental Resource Center for those residing in Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
EPA's Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman Regulatory Assistance
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: provides information on respiratory protective devices and analytical methods
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
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CONTACTS
EPA Asbestos Coordinators
Region 10 Information Contacts for the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
EPA Region 10 Contacts
Local Air Pollution Agencies in Washington State
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
State Asbestos Contacts
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Unit: Solid Waste & Toxics Unit
Carmen Caldwell
E-Mail: caldwell.carmen@epa.gov
(206) 553-4762
Phone Number: (206) 553-4762
Last Updated (mm/dd/yy): 09/20/2004
Asbestos
http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/OWCM.NSF/asbestos/asbestos |
