Mississippi (MS) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources:

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is responsible for implementing regulations in Mississippi that protect against air emissions or asbestos from renovations or demolition operations.

Mississippi identifies asbestos as a naturally occurring mineral that has been used extensively in building materials ranging from pipe insulation to wallboard and other products primarily due to its insulating and fireproofing qualities. When the material is disturbed during demolition or renovation activities, the asbestos can become airborne and pose serious human health risks. Mississippi regulations are in place to protect both workers and the public from airborne asbestos contamination in which asbestos fibers are emitted into the air where they may be inhaled.

Asbestos Abatement Guidelines

 MDEQ regulates building renovation and demolition operations to prevent activities resulting in airborne asbestos emissions. Demolition and renovation operations are defined as the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structural member of a facility, the intentional burning of any facility, the altering of a component of a facility, and the stripping or removal of regulated asbestos-containing material (ACM) from a facility component.

Demolition and renovation activities in regard to individual residences or buildings with four or fewer dwelling units are generally exempt from the asbestos regulations set forth by the MDEQ. This is true unless the demolition or renovation is part of a public, private or commercial development project or if the project includes more than one residential building on a single site. The regulations must be honored if the demolition of a residence includes any non-residential buildings within the project. It is never acceptable to intentionally burn any building when asbestos materials are present.

Before beginning any demolition or renovation project, the owner or operator of the property must thoroughly inspect the facility for ACMs. He or she must use only MDEQ certified individuals for inspections as well as for abatement procedures. All demolition or renovation notifications must be submitted to the MDEQ ten working days before the activities are begun on any area containing at least 160 square feet, 260 linear feet, or 35 cubic feet of asbestos containing materials (1).

The State of Mississippi requires that all persons who provide asbestos abatement services as management planners, project designers, inspectors, contractors, supervisors, workers, and air monitors be properly trained in a certified training program. They must also be certified by MDEQ. The department is responsible for certifying the training courses offered by businesses within the state. Fees for certification and renewal of certification range from $35 for an asbestos worker to $350 for a contractor (2)

Hurricane Katrina and Mississippi Asbestos Abatement

 In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, MDEQ and EPA developed guidance and procedures to be followed regarding cleanup and removal of structures and debris. They were also responsible for organizing a training program for local governments and specialists in the provisions of asbestos abatement requirements. Mississippi retains three asbestos inspectors who have maintained continuous field presence since the storm for assistance in compliance, technical guidance, and air monitoring as well as for handling citizen complaints and inquiries. The EPA conducts independent and monthly on-site visits to demolition sites to observe practices and procedures. The EPA also monitors the MDEQ’s field reports generated from inspection activities.

The MDEQ and EPA both recommend that, whenever possible, ACMs be wetted from outside of the building through windows, doors or attic spaces, before entering the building or completing the demolition. Whenever possible, as conditions allow, the wetting agent should be amended water, which significantly reduces the risk of potential asbestos release into the air (3).

It is anticipated that debris on the ground and in structures that are in need of demolition may contain asbestos. Some asbestos-containing products that may be part of the debris include: asbestos-cement corrugated sheets, asbestos-cement flat sheets, asbestos pipeline wrap, roofing felt, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, asbestos-cement shingles, millboard, asbestos-cement pipes, and attic insulation.

 

Individual states affected by the storm retain the authority for how their asbestos programs will be run regarding the disposal of ACMs and debris. The EPA is working closely with these states, including Mississippi, to provide debris management guidance to ensure minimal exposure and expedited cleanup. The EPA also assists in providing asbestos sampling and asbestos segregation as needed by Mississippi.

Generally asbestos abatement is highly regulated, but after Hurricane Katrina reduced many buildings to rubble, it has become necessary to modify the regulations to allow for rapid cleanup and disposal. Careful consideration should be given to the collection, transfer, storage, and open burning of asbestos materials. The proximity of populations, other land uses, and weather conditions are all important factors in preventing needless exposure.

In all instances, workers should use equipment specifically designed to protect them from asbestos contamination and exposure during demolition and cleanup. Handling of debris can cause exposure to the unprotected.

EPA Monitoring of Clean Up Procedures

 The EPA has been advising Mississippi on appropriate methods of segregation of asbestos and other hazardous waste during the storm debris clean up. Filters are maintained at open burning sites to evaluate the air contamination levels. These samples are closely monitored, and the plan for disposal regulations are adjusted accordingly to protect the public as much as possible. The samples and plan are constantly evaluated and updated for the duration of cleanup procedures (4). 

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