New Mexico (NM) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with state organizations in New Mexico to ensure the safe handling and disposal of asbestos containing material. The New Mexico State Legislature has adopted the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations for asbestos control in New Mexico. Asbestos regulations are in place to protect workers and the public from the significant danger of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Health Concerns

In the early 1970s, it became apparent that asbestos posed a significant health risk. The widespread nature of asbestos products made it necessary to institute a federally mandated abatement program in an attempt to protect the public from airborne asbestos fibers.

Asbestos materials are divided into two major groups: friable and non-friable asbestos containing materials (ACM). Friable asbestos materials are those materials that contain more than 1% asbestos and that, when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder through the application of hand pressure.

Non-friable asbestos containing materials are those materials which cannot be reduced to powder or crumbled from hand pressure. This group would include most asbestos materials that contain asbestos in such a way that the fibers are not readily released into the air supply. Examples of non-friable asbestos materials include most floor tiles, asphalt roofing tiles and asbestos imbedded cement. In some cases, non-friable asbestos may become friable, either from deterioration over time or from the use of tools that cause significant damage such as cutting, abrading or chipping. Although regulations for removing non-friable asbestos are generally more lax than those for removal of friable asbestos, it is still important that non-friable asbestos be handled carefully to prevent it from becoming friable.

A regulated asbestos containing material would include materials that are friable or non-friable materials that have either become friable through sanding, grinding, cutting, abrading; or have a high probability of becoming friable through pulverization, crumbling, or other pressures applied during a renovation or demolition.

Asbestos Abatement Guidelines

In the state of New Mexico, notification of demolition is required whether asbestos is present or not. In the case of renovations, notification is required if the regulated asbestos containing materials equal more than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet. If there is no asbestos present at a renovation site, notification is not required. Notification is also not required if the amount of asbestos containing material is less than the amounts listed above. All notifications are to be made to the New Mexico Environment Department, Air Quality Bureau. If there is any question as to whether asbestos containing material is present, a survey may be performed by a qualified and licensed asbestos inspector.

The asbestos NESHAP does not require that notice be submitted for renovations if proper alternative removal methods are implemented on non-friable materials, or amounts of friable materials that are below the notification requirement. These alternative methods would include the use of heat from heat guns or electric heat machines, infrared machines, flooding with water or amended water, or the use of dry ice or liquid nitrogen. If these alternative methods are not implemented, accidentally or otherwise, then the ACM will fall into NESHAP regulations. If this is the case, the project must be halted immediately. The owner, operator or contractor must submit the required notification and wait 10 working days before resuming work. As an alternative, proper notice can be made in advance of beginning the project in case the material is compromised during renovation or demolition. If notification has already been made, it is not required that work be halted pending proper notification.

New Mexico, in accordance with the NESHAP, requires that trained asbestos personnel be present if any regulated asbestos material is to be stripped, removed or otherwise handled or disturbed at a site. It is recommended that trained and certified personnel be present for the removal of non-friable asbestos as well, to prevent accidentally causing the material to become friable.

If there is any question as to whether the material is friable or non-friable, building owners or operators are encouraged to contact the New Mexico Environment Department for additional information, as well as guidance on who to contact for removal efforts.

With regards to removal, all asbestos containing materials must be deposited in a waste disposal site that is approved by the Solid Waste Bureau for acceptance of asbestos. Approved landfills can be located by contacting the New Mexico Environmental Department, Air Quality Bureau or the Solid Waste Bureau.

All contractors who remove asbestos containing material must be licensed by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division. Additional regulations are in effect in accordance with EPA standards for abatement projects that take place in schools, private or commercial buildings

Individuals and companies that fail to adhere to the asbestos related NESHAP regulations in New Mexico may be subjected to civil action in district court, in addition to penalties of up to $15,000 per violation per day for noncompliance. Noncompliance puts everyone at risk. (1).

'New Mexico (NM) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources' Sources: