Pennsylvania (PA) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources:

Due to serious health concerns related to asbestos exposure, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates the removal, collection, transportation and disposal of asbestos containing materials from public and commercial buildings. The DEP does not regulate the removal of asbestos from residences unless the unit has more than five separate residences. It is the responsibility of the building owner or operator to contact local authorities to ensure that there are not additional regulations.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was commonly used in construction materials for many years. Asbestos was discovered to be an exceptional insulating material that also offers fire and chemically resistant properties but it was later discovered that asbestos fibers, when inhaled or ingested, are extremely dangerous to humans. Today, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes (pre-1980) in the form of pipe and furnace insulation, shingles, millboard, and floor tiles. The EPA, OSHA and state organizations work together to enforce strict regulations on the handling of asbestos materials in an effort to protect workers and the public from the adverse effects of asbestos.

Asbestos Health Concerns

Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye. When they are inhaled, they can remain and accumulate in the lungs, where they can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and other cancers of the organ linings. Most of these diseases do not become apparent for many years after exposure. Most individuals with asbestos related illnesses came into contact with the material in high concentrations over extended periods of time through their jobs. Others have been infected after being exposed to dust and fibers that were brought home on clothing from job sites.

The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma increases with the amount of fibers that have been inhaled. The risk of lung cancer is also increased if the patient is a smoker. Most individuals who are exposed to asbestos containing material do not develop symptoms of an asbestos related disease until 20 to 30 years after initial exposure (3).

Asbestos Abatement Guidelines

The Department of Labor and Industry is responsible for the enforcement of the Pennsylvania Asbestos Occupations Accreditation and Certification Act. This act requires that persons planning to undergo an asbestos abatement project must notify the department at least five days before the onset of work. Notification must include the project plan as well as certification of any and all workers who will be involved with the project (1).

The Pennsylvania asbestos program includes federal and state guidelines for the purpose of protecting the public from accidental exposure to excessive amounts of airborne asbestos fibers.

If asbestos containing material is friable, the DEP requires that it be removed prior to demolition or renovation. Friable asbestos is asbestos containing material that is likely to release fibers through normal handling. Any material that may be destroyed, broken or reduced to powder through normal hand pressure is considered friable and subject to regulations regarding abatement. Non-friable asbestos is asbestos containing material that is not likely to become friable or airborne through normal handling. This means that the material cannot be reduced to powder by hand pressure. Regulated asbestos material includes all friable materials, as well as non-friable materials that may become friable after damage from water, heat or age deterioration. Non-friable materials may also become friable if they are subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting, drilling or abrading.

The DEP has adopted the EPA regulations as set forth in the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants. These regulations require that notification of the EPA take place at least ten days before the onset of any abatement project in a public or commercial building. The regulations also demand that only certified asbestos workers handle asbestos materials, conduct inspections, or supervise workers. The Pennsylvania Asbestos Occupations Accreditation and Certification Act requires that the state be notified at least five days before beginning an abatement project and that local agencies be contacted to determine that no additional regulations apply.

In Pennsylvania, it is stipulated that no individual who has not been certified may be permitted to remove or handle asbestos. Workers, supervisors, project designers, inspectors, management planners, and contractors must all undergo certification training before handling or removing asbestos containing material. Additionally, proper notification must be made to federal, state and local agencies prior to beginning an abatement project.

Before beginning an abatement project, the building must be thoroughly inspected for asbestos containing material. If the amount of material is in excess of 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet, the project falls under NESHAP regulations for abatement. Notification must be submitted on the proper form to the Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA as well as any local or county agencies (2).

The State of Pennsylvania also provides regulations for asbestos containing material within residential structures. If asbestos is suspected to be present in a residential structure, the owner is encouraged to have the suspected site evaluated by a certified inspector. Often, asbestos in the home is not dangerous if it is not likely to be disturbed. It is important, however, to evaluate the materials regularly for deterioration. Residential owners must avoid cutting, ripping, or sanding asbestos containing material, as this action can cause even non-friable asbestos to become friable and dangerous.

If asbestos is found in a residential area and is determined to be friable, the owner should not attempt self-removal. A professional asbestos contractor should be consulted, after careful evaluation of the available contractors’ credentials. Homeowners are encouraged to examine the options of encapsulation or enclosure over the more expensive option of removal (3).

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