Asbestos containing materials ACMs

The only way to determine if a material contains asbestos is to have it tested and analyzed by qualified professionals. In addition to requiring technical expertise to test for asbestos, when samples are incorrectly taken there maybe an increased health risk if fibers are released. Asbestos materials that are intact and in good condition generally do not pose a health risk. The potential for an asbestos containing material (ACM) to release harmful fibers depends primarily on its condition. Dry material that can be crumbled by hand pressure, often referred to as friable ACM, is more likely to release fibers, particularly when damaged. Materials considered nonfriable ACM, such as vinyl-asbestos floor tile, can also release harmful fibers when sanded, sawed, or otherwise disturbed. ... 

Chapter 14) and personal care products such as shampoos (Chapter 15). More recently, foams are being used in the decontamination of hazardous substances, such as radionuclides and asbestos, from surfaces and facilities (see, for example. References [36, 37]). Foams such as polyurethane foam have been used to enclose and isolate friable asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) to prevent the spread of hazardous dusts during demolition activities. 

Asbestos-containing material (ACM), means any material containing more than one percent asbestos. 

Q. You would like clarification on a provision in the asbestos standard for construction, .1101 (k)(2)(ii)(D), which states that building and facility owners shall notify tenants who will occupy building areas containing asbestos-containing material (ACM) and presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM). You asked whether, under that provision, tenants are required to be notified only when there is a disturbance of ACM or PACM in their spaces You also asked if there was any requirement under the general industry standard for asbestos ( 1910.1001) for building owners to notify tenants of the presence of ACM. 

Because of the properties of asbestos, it was widely used as an insulation material for severe heat conditions in building construction. Asbestos also has fibrous qualities that allow it to be woven into other materials to increase strength of different materials. Asbestos-containing material (ACM) could be found in many different materials that were identified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (ERA). In 1989, the ERA identified these different materials as possibly being ACM ... 

Has survey been conducted at facility to determine whether asbestos-containing material (ACM) is present in facility ... 

If Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) or Presumed Asbestos Containing Material (PACM) is identified in a facility, who is responsible for training contract cleaning employees ... 

Activities Involving removal of thermal system insulation (TSI) and surfacing ACM and presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM). 

Asbestos-containing building material (ACBM) means surfacing ACM, thermal system insulation ACM, or miscellaneous ACM that is found in or on interior structural members or other parts of a school building. 40 C.ER. 763.83. 

II Activities involving the removal of ACM which is not TSI or surfacing material. Includes, but is not limited to, removal of asbestos-containing wallboard, floor tile and sheeting, roofing and siding shingles, and construction mastics. 

As stated before, not all ACM is immediately dangerous, but care should be exercised in determining whether a material contains asbestos. Once hard ACM is disturbed, the risk factors increase dramatically. If you suspect that... 

This method is generally applicable for the analysis of building materials that contain asbestos, however, if the material submitted for analysis comprises of a quantity of soil or fill type material, then careful screening will have to take place to remove all suspect ACMs from the soil. These suspect materials should be separated from the soil and washed if necessary prior to being analysed in accordance with MDHS 77 (1994) as detailed below. 

Surfacing ACM means surfacing material which contains more than 1 % asbestos. 

In bnildings bnilt before 1980, treat thermal system insulation and sprayed-on and troweled-on surfacing materials as ACM, unless properly analyzed and fonnd not to contain more than 1 percent asbestos. 

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