When anyone begins a demolition or renovation project, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies require notification if the project involves asbestos removal. These requirements have become law due to the danger of serious health problems that can result from inhaling the microscopic asbestos fibers. The fibers become airborne during construction activity which disturbs materials containing asbestos.
What's Involved
Under the notification requirements, asbestos may contain various substances, including serpentinite, riebeckite, commingtonite-grunerite, anthophyllite and acinolite-tremolite. Notification is required when these substances are contained in any waste materials involved with the project.
Waste materials containing asbestos may include things such as filters from asbestos-related control devices, waste material that easily crumbles or breaks apart and contains asbestos, or various packaging waste which was manufactured using asbestos. Disposable equipment and clothing which was contaminated with asbestos is also included under the notification regulations.
EPA Requirements
The notification requirements apply to any owner or operator of a demolition or renovation project involving asbestos. The EPA requires notification at least ten working days prior to any work involving the asbestos. The notification may be sent via U.S. mail and must be postmarked on or before the ten-day notification requirement and must include the name, address and telephone number of the facility owner and operator, as well as the contractor who will be handling the asbestos removal. The notification must also describe whether the project is a renovation or demolition, a description of the facility, a description of the procedure and an estimate of the amount of asbestos to be removed.
State Variations
Instead of notifying the EPA, the notification must instead be directed to the state agency in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The requirement is ten days prior to construction in these states as well. In Rhode Island and Vermont, there is a requirement to notify both the state agency and the EPA.
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