FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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DO I NEED TO CHECK FOR ASBESTOS?
Don't know if you need an asbestos testing?
In most cases, an asbestos inspection is required in CO. Here is a flowchart from the CO Department of Public Health and Environment to help guide you:
In most cases, an asbestos inspection is required in CO. Here is a flowchart from the CO Department of Public Health and Environment to help guide you:
Are you Remodeling, Renovating or Demolishing?
You may be subject to State and Federal Regulations requiring an inspection for asbestos. Avoid penalties and delays: If you are impacting greater than the trigger levels of suspect asbestos-containing materials ("ACM") - you must have your project inspected for ACM by a Colorado-certified asbestos building inspector before commencing work.
You may be subject to State and Federal Regulations requiring an inspection for asbestos. Avoid penalties and delays: If you are impacting greater than the trigger levels of suspect asbestos-containing materials ("ACM") - you must have your project inspected for ACM by a Colorado-certified asbestos building inspector before commencing work.
It is Dangerous and Illegal to Improperly Disturb ACM!
Asbestos can be found in these and many other common building materials: Ceiling textures, vinyl floor coverings and mastic, boiler and pipe insulation, heating and cooling duct insulation, ceiling tile, roofing products, clapboard shingles, etc. These materials may be regulated - a certified asbestos building inspector can determine which materials contain asbestos and which are regulated.
Asbestos can be found in these and many other common building materials: Ceiling textures, vinyl floor coverings and mastic, boiler and pipe insulation, heating and cooling duct insulation, ceiling tile, roofing products, clapboard shingles, etc. These materials may be regulated - a certified asbestos building inspector can determine which materials contain asbestos and which are regulated.
For ALL Renovation Projects:
Public and Commercial Buildings (other than SFRDs) - the trigger levels are: 260 linear feet on pipes; 160 square feet on other surfaces; or the volume equivalent of a
gallon drum.
- Buildings of any age may contain ACM; even those newly built may have ACM.
- Inspection: If the structures/components to be disturbed exceed the trigger levels, they must be inspected for asbestos by a Colorado-certified asbestos building inspector, unless the building was built after October 12, 1988, AND the architect or engineer who built it signs and submits documentation showing that no ACM was specified or used in the construction of the building - then no inspection is needed.
- If the amount of ACM to be disturbed exceeds the following trigger levels, then an asbestos abatement contractor must remove the material:
Public and Commercial Buildings (other than SFRDs) - the trigger levels are: 260 linear feet on pipes; 160 square feet on other surfaces; or the volume equivalent of a
gallon drum.
- Under many circumstances, a Colorado-certified General Abatement Contractor (GAC) must remove ACM that is regulated or may become regulated before it is disturbed by renovation or demolition activities. GACs can be found in the yellow pages of most telephone books under the heading, "Asbestos Abatement" or go to our web site for a current list.
- Notification: A written application to CDPHE for a notice/permit may be required, along with payment of a fee and a ten (10) working-day notification period (emergencies may be excluded) before the removal (abatement) of regulated asbestos-containing materials. ALL ACM waste must be disposed of at an approved asbestos waste disposal site - regardless of the quantity or the necessity for a notice/permi
Demolitions, Destructive Salvage, House Moving
If you demolish, perform destructive salvage, perform de-construction, burn, destroy, dismantle, dynamite, implode, knock down, level, pull down, pulverize, raze, tear down, wreck all of a structure or structural components, or you move a house, you may be subject to State and Federal regulations even when there is NO asbestos in the facility. Demolition means: the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structural member of a facility together with any related handling operations or the intentional burning of any facility.
If you demolish, perform destructive salvage, perform de-construction, burn, destroy, dismantle, dynamite, implode, knock down, level, pull down, pulverize, raze, tear down, wreck all of a structure or structural components, or you move a house, you may be subject to State and Federal regulations even when there is NO asbestos in the facility. Demolition means: the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structural member of a facility together with any related handling operations or the intentional burning of any facility.
For ALL Demolition Projects
- Inspection: the building or area of the building to be demolished must be inspected for asbestos by a Colorado-certified asbestos inspector. Asbestos Consulting Firms and asbestos building inspectors can be found in the yellow pages of most telephone books under the heading "Asbestos Consulting and Testing" or go to our web site for a current list:
- Asbestos Removal (if necessary) may have to be performed by a Colorado-certified GAC. Removal, in accordance with Regulation No. 8, Part B, is required if the amount of asbestos-containing material that is friable or will become friable during demolition exceeds the trigger levels.
- A Demolition Notification Application Form must be submitted to the CDPHE, even if no asbestos was found during the inspection, along with payment of a notification fee and a ten (10) working-day notification period that is required before the demolition can commence.
During Demolition
- Recycling of materials, such as concrete or wood, that are bonded or contaminated with asbestos-containing material (ACM), such as floor tile or mastic, is NOT permitted.
- Demolition of a building that has non-friable asbestos-containing vinyl asbestos tile (VAT) or tar-impregnated roofing materials remaining must be completed without causing the asbestos-containing materials to become friable. Concrete floors covered with floor tile shall be removed in large sections if possible. Operations such as crushing, pneumatic jacking, etc. of materials containing asbestos are not permitted.
- When imploding or burning a structure, ALL asbestos-containing material, regardless of type or quantity, MUST be removed prior to demolition.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found worldwide. Large deposits of asbestos rock was mined -- much like coal, iron oar and other natural rock deposits -- in large quantities due to its heat and chemical resistance. In addition, its fibrous structure makes it ideal for bonding materials such as wall textures, insulation, sheet vinyl, and organically bound materials such as floor tiles, giving them added strength as well as added heat and chemical endurance.
Why is asbestos hazardous to our health?
Because of its fibrous structure.
Although our bodies can defend against physical contact and even digestion of asbestos, we cannot prevent disease if the tiny, fish-hook like fibers become airborne and are inhaled into our respiratory system. Once the microscopic fibers, which make up asbestos rock, bypass the hairs, mucus and cilia that line the esophagus and finally makes it to the lungs, the immune system kicks in as a final line of defense and sends white blood cells to attempt to remove the foreign material from the body.
White blood cells work by consuming foreign antigens and dissolving them with powerful enzymes; however, this backfires when attempted on asbestos fibers. That's because asbestos is chemical resistant so the enzymes have no affect and because of its fibrous structure, it will actually destroy the immune cells. This causes a chain reaction where more white blood cells come in to attempt to eliminate the now damaged blood cell and, thus, is also destroyed. As this continues, the cells build up and scar tissue forms in the lung causing the most common asbestos disease; Asbestosis. Other asbestos related diseases are: Mesothelioma and cancer.
Although our bodies can defend against physical contact and even digestion of asbestos, we cannot prevent disease if the tiny, fish-hook like fibers become airborne and are inhaled into our respiratory system. Once the microscopic fibers, which make up asbestos rock, bypass the hairs, mucus and cilia that line the esophagus and finally makes it to the lungs, the immune system kicks in as a final line of defense and sends white blood cells to attempt to remove the foreign material from the body.
White blood cells work by consuming foreign antigens and dissolving them with powerful enzymes; however, this backfires when attempted on asbestos fibers. That's because asbestos is chemical resistant so the enzymes have no affect and because of its fibrous structure, it will actually destroy the immune cells. This causes a chain reaction where more white blood cells come in to attempt to eliminate the now damaged blood cell and, thus, is also destroyed. As this continues, the cells build up and scar tissue forms in the lung causing the most common asbestos disease; Asbestosis. Other asbestos related diseases are: Mesothelioma and cancer.
Do large amounts of asbestos need to be inhaled to cause disease?
Not necessarily.
Asbestos related diseases are regarded as "dose response" meaning that the larger the dose, the more likely someone is to contract a disease, but there is no definitive, minimal amount of asbestos needed to become sick. It is possible that a very small exposure (or small dose) can cause disease and the unique characteristics of the person exposed to asbestos, especially their overall health, is directly correlated to the potential of disease development. For example, those who smoke are 5 - 10 times more likely to contract an asbestos related disease, as well as those who are immunocompromised.
Asbestos related diseases are regarded as "dose response" meaning that the larger the dose, the more likely someone is to contract a disease, but there is no definitive, minimal amount of asbestos needed to become sick. It is possible that a very small exposure (or small dose) can cause disease and the unique characteristics of the person exposed to asbestos, especially their overall health, is directly correlated to the potential of disease development. For example, those who smoke are 5 - 10 times more likely to contract an asbestos related disease, as well as those who are immunocompromised.
Where can asbestos be found?
Asbestos was, and still is, used in building materials for a variety of reasons. Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them resistant to heat, chemical damage and insulate against the electricity as well as adding durability to a product. Asbestos was added to, amongst other products: surface finishing products such as texture and joint compound, thermal and acoustic insulation, fireproofing, roofing materials and flooring products such as floor tiles, adhesives, sheet vinyl, etc.
Wasn't asbestos banned?
There are common misunderstandings about an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ban on ACM products or uses from 1989. Many sources incorrectly report that all asbestos-containing products have been banned. In 1991, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated much of the so-called “Asbestos Ban and Phaseout” rule and remanded it to the EPA. Thus, much of the original 1989 EPA ban on the U.S. manufacturing, importation. Processing. Or distribution in commerce of many asbestos-containing product categories are still subject to the 1989 asbestos ban, However, EPA has no existing bans on other asbestos-containing products or uses. Products manufactured in other countries may also contain asbestos and can be imported into the United States.
EPA does NOT track the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos-containing products. It would be prudent for a consumer or other buyer to inquire as to the presence of asbestos in particular products. Possible sources of that information would include inquiring of the dealer/supplier or manufacturer, refer to the product’s “Safety Data Sheet” (SDS), or consider having the material tested by an accredited laboratory before installing it in your building.
EPA does NOT track the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos-containing products. It would be prudent for a consumer or other buyer to inquire as to the presence of asbestos in particular products. Possible sources of that information would include inquiring of the dealer/supplier or manufacturer, refer to the product’s “Safety Data Sheet” (SDS), or consider having the material tested by an accredited laboratory before installing it in your building.
