Missouri (MO) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources:
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources describes asbestos as “a naturally occurring mineral fiber” that is known for its “fire resistance, high tensile strength, poor heat and electric conductivity,” and resistance to chemical corrosion (2). Because of these properties, asbestos was used in over 3,000 products, most of which are building materials, since there is the need to insulate and fireproof buildings (2). Some of the products that Missouri specifically warns its residents about as potentially containing asbestos are cementitious siding and wallboard, asphalt and vinyl floor tiles, linoleum, flooring mastics, textured paints, acoustical plaster, ceiling tiles and panels, fireproofing materials, theater curtains, blown-in insulation, boiler insulation, HVAC duct insulation, pipe insulation, chalkboards, roofing shingles and felts, joint compounds, spackling compounds, and brake pads (2).
Unfortunately, it has since been discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can be dangerous to human health (2). Since asbestos fibers are microscopic, when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, such as in demolition or renovation projects, the fibers can become suspended in the air, where they can easily be inhaled (2). Once in the body, the fibers can accumulate and lead to three kinds of major health risks: asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer (2). For this reason, there are strict regulations regarding who can handle asbestos and how it must be handled set forth by the Missouri Department of natural Resources, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2). These regulations are designed to minimize the creation of airborne asbestos fibers, keeping workers, the public, and the environment safe from asbestos exposure.
Inspection Regulations
In Missouri, all regulated facilities, including public, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, and residential buildings that contain more than four housing units must be inspected by a Missouri-licensed asbestos inspector before any demolition or renovation activities may begin (3). The Missouri Department of Natural Resources warns that even though privately owned residential buildings of fewer than four housing units are not subject to regulation, it does not reduce the threat that asbestos fibers pose, and they recommended that professionals are hired to inspect the facility and for all abatement (3). During the inspection, the inspector must identify all potential asbestos-containing materials that could be damaged during the renovation or demolition (1). Once that is complete, the inspector must collect samples of all suspect materials and submit them for laboratory analysis (1). Once the analysis is complete, the inspector must write a report that includes all suspect materials identified, the quantity of asbestos-containing material, it’s location, the category and condition of all asbestos –containing material, and the analytical laboratory results (1). If an inspector finds that a building that is to be demolished or renovated contains more than 160 square feet, 260 linear feet, or 35 cubic feet of friable asbestos-containing materials, then the removal of the asbestos will be regulated and must be completed by licensed workers (3). It is also important that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is notified at least 24 hours before any renovations projects exceeding the limits for regulation and all demolition projects (3).
Standard Abatement Safety Precautions
If it is found that the amount of asbestos-containing materials is too high, then a licensed professional must be hired to abate the asbestos before any activities occur that could damage any of the material and send asbestos fibers into the air (1). All individuals who are licensed to work with asbestos are highly trained, and they adhere to strict regulations to minimize the amount of loose asbestos fibers present (1). All of these regulations have many subparts that detail the specifics of how each regulation must be carried out. In generalities, these precautions include thoroughly sealing off the areas containing the materials that are to be removed in order to prevent the contamination of fibers into other areas, wearing the proper safety equipment, including approved respirators and disposable protective clothing, providing workers with a decontamination unit that they must use before exiting the contained area, keeping all asbestos-containing materials wet from removal until disposal, leaving asbestos-containing material intact or in large pieces to avoid the creation of dust, placing all hazardous material into airtight, leak-proof containers with warning labels affixed, and transporting materials safely to approved landfills (1). All of these requirements may seem stringent, but they are crucial in keeping workers, the public, and the environment away from asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Waste Disposal
Once the abatement is completed, it is the responsibility of the contractor to arrange for proper disposal of the waste. Fortunately, all Missouri-licensed contractors are trained in this area. All asbestos-containing waste must be disposed of at a permitted solid waste disposal facility whether the waste is generated from a regulated or unregulated renovation or demolition project (3). Burning asbestos waste is never permitted, as it emits asbestos fibers into the air, and it is a violation of Missouri’s open burning restrictions (3). All waste that is generated from a regulated project must be labeled with “DANGER. CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS. AVOID CREATING DUST. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD” (3). Often, different landfills have different requirements for what they will accept and how it must be labeled, so it is often necessary for contractors to make arrangements with sites before the disposal (3). Fortunately, asbestos professionals can easily do this for building owners.
Asbestos workers in Missouri must adhere to many specific federal and state laws regarding the proper handling of asbestos. While they may seem stringent, these rules and regulations are crucial in keeping the workers, the public, and the environment safe from the health risks of asbestos. All professionals who work with asbestos complete rigorous training courses and annual refresher courses to ensure that they are aware of all of the most current regulations and safety precautions. To avoid possible contamination of asbestos, it is always best to let a qualified asbestos worker test for and remove asbestos containing materials. If you believe that there may be dangerous asbestos containing materials in your building, especially prior to a renovation or demolition, contact an inspector or consultant to discuss your particular options. There are many qualified asbestos professionals right in Missouri who can help you with any asbestos related needs.
'Missouri (MO) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources' Sources:
1) “Asbestos Requirements for Demolition and Renovation Projects.” Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 18 October 2007 <http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2157.pdf>.
2) “Asbestos: What Is It and Why Is It a Concern?” Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 18 October 2007 <http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2077.pdf>.
3) “Natural Disaster Assistance for Missouri Citizens: How to Handle Asbestos Containing Debris.” Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 18 October 2007 <http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2121.pdf>.
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