Tennessee (TN) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources:

Tennessee defines asbestos as the generic term for a group of naturally occurring, fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, chemicals, and electricity. Because of these qualities, asbestos was a popular additive to commercial products found in constructive materials until the 1970s. These materials include, but are not limited to: sprayed-on fireproofing, sprayed-on or textured ceiling material, pipe and boiler insulation, floor tiles and associated mastics, cement pipe and sheeting, roofing felts and shingles, ceiling tiles, drywall and joint compounds, and acoustical products.

Asbestos is different from other minerals in that it breaks up into fine, lightweight fibers that can only be seen under a microscope. When undisturbed there is little danger from asbestos, but when the material is damaged or crumbled or has deteriorated over time, the fibers are released into the air, where they can remain for long periods of time and pose a health risk through inhalation or ingestion. Among the diseases that result from asbestos exposure are: asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and, to a lesser extent, gastrointestinal cancer. The incubation period of asbestos-related illnesses is exceptionally long. Symptoms of these diseases often do not appear until 20 years or more after the initial exposure (1).

Regulations for Asbestos Abatement

The Clean Air Act requires that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develop and enforce regulations regarding asbestos abatement and disposal. These regulations are in place to protect the general public from exposure to airborne contaminants that are known to be human health hazards.

The way that the regulations protect the public is by closely monitoring and inspecting the work practices regarding the handling, removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials.

Although the EPA is ultimately responsible for the responsibility in creating and enforcing the regulations for asbestos abatement, in Tennessee the responsibility is delegated to local and state agencies. Asbestos-related work in Tennessee must be performed under the supervision of at least one foreman or management-level person who has had training in the safe handling of asbestos and compliance with Hazardous Air Contaminants Rule 1200-3-11-02. Proof that the on-site individual has received the proper training, including refresher courses every two years, must be posted at the site (3). Unlike other states, Tennessee does not require that every person working with asbestos be licensed or registered as a trained asbestos worker; however, all relevant OSHA and EPA requirements are of course still applicable.

In Tennessee, demolition and asbestos renovation activities conducted in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby counties are under the jurisdiction of county air permit agencies; for asbestos-related work in other parts of the state, the Division of Air Pollution Control has jurisdiction (2). Throughout the state, if a project will involve the removal and/or renovation of asbestos-containing materials where quantities exceed 260 linear feet or more on pipes, 160 square feet or more on other facility components, or 35 cubic feet or more off facility components where the length or area could not be measured previously, the Tennessee Division of Air Pollution Control must be notified at least 10 days before the work is to begin. Notification is not required for non-friable asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), which include packings, gaskets, resilient floor covering, and asphalt roofing products, as long as the materials are in good shape and will not be subject to abrading, sanding, or other activity likely to make the asbestos friable. The Division of Air Pollution Control must be notified of any demolition, even if the building does not contain asbestos.

Separate rules apply in cases where the demolition of a building is required because the building has been declared structurally unsound and in imminent danger of collapse. In cases where a structure has been damaged by a fire or natural disaster, some of the notification waiting period requirements are waived or less strict; however, the safe abatement of asbestos is still a priority. The special rules apply to all non-residential buildings and all residential buildings with five or more dwelling units (4).

Disposal of Asbestos

Because asbestos, being a mineral, does not decompose over time, safe disposal of ACMs can be a particular concern. Transportation of asbestos and ACMs from a building site to an approved waste facility must be done in vehicles labeled with signage that clearly identifies the hazardous material. Records of the transportation and disposal of asbestos and ACMs must be kept for at least two years (3).

In Tennessee, the following landfills are the only ones which are allowed to accept friable asbestos waste: Bradley County, Meadow Branch, and Rhea County in the Chattanooga EAC; Cedar Ridge in the Columbia EAC; Chestnut Ridge, Alcoa/Maryville/Blount, Loudon County, Scott Solid Waste, and Tidi-Waste in the Knoxville EAC; West Camden, Northwest TN Disposal, and Alan’s Independent in the Jackson EAC; BFI-Carter Valley, Eastman, Holston Army, and Iris Glen in the Johnson City EAC; BFI North Shelby and BFI South Shelby in the Memphis EAC; and BFI Middlepoint in the Nashville EAC (5).

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