
NOTE:
Before starting a project that disturbs asbestos, first contact the local air authority for regulatory information. Most Western Washington counties have a local air authority agency to contact for information about local asbestos regulations.
The Department of Ecology maintains a map with links to local air authorities on the Ecology Air Program web site.
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WARNING Disturbed asbestos is very hazardous to building occupants and visitors. Non-friable asbestos that is left in place is not very hazardous to building occupants. Safe removal of asbestos usually requires respirators, liquid wetting agents, a negative air pressure enclosure and special training to prevent worker and building occupant exposure to the microscopic fibers. Certified abatement contractors have the training and equipment and will do air monitoring to make certain asbestos is not released during the project. Certified abatement contractors are listed in the phone book under 'Asbestos Abatement', 'Asbestos Consulting' and ' Environmental and Ecological Services'.
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Exit Ecology at http://www.cpsc.gov/ is responsible for the regulation of asbestos in consumer products.CPSC provides information about laboratories for asbestos testing, guidelines for repairing and removing asbestos, and general information about asbestos in the home.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Exit Ecology - protects the general public from airborne asbestos exposure.
The Regional EPA Headquarters office in Seattle, Washington has extensive and well organized astestos information on-line:
A list of EPA Hotlines can be found at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hotline.htm Exit Ecology
The Washington State equivalent of EPA is the Department of Ecology, which can have additional state only regulations.
EPA has two different asbestos laws or regulations and their resulting implementations.
The Clean Air Act is administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology and delegated to local air pollution agencies or regional Ecology offices.
The Asbestos NESHAP requires action to be taken by
Owners and operators subject to the Asbestos NESHAP are required to notify delegated State and local agencies and/or their EPA Regional Offices before demolition or renovation activity begins. The Asbestos NESHAP also regulates asbestos waste handling and disposal.
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EPA Regional Asbestos NESHAP Contacts for Washington |
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| Kathleen S. Johnson, Regional Asbestos NESHAP Coordinator | 206. 553.1757 (johnson.kathleens@epa.gov) |
| Ann Wawrukiewicz, NESHAP Technical Advisor | 206. 553.1172 |
| Region 10 Toll Free | 1.800.424.4EPA |
| NESHAP Fax Number | 206. 553.0110 |
TSCA is directly administered by the regional EPA office in Seattle, Washington.
AHERA, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, concerns regulations to respond to asbestos in public and private schools. The Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule implements this mandate.
ASHARA, the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act, concerns personnel working on asbestos activities. Specifically, the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan requires the use of accredited inspectors, workers, supervisors, project designers, and management planners (schools only) when conducting asbestos activities at schools, public and commercial buildings.| EPA Regional Asbestos AHERA Contacts for Washington | |
| Sharon Eng, Regional Asbestos Coordinator for AHERA | 206. 553.4762 (eng.sharon@epa.gov) |
| Al Wassé, AHERA Technical Advisor | 206. 553.1417 |
| Region 10 Toll Free | 1.800.424.4EPA |
| AHERA Fax Number | 206. 553.8509 |
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Exit Ecology protects workers from asbestos exposure in the workplace, or in connection with their jobs. The Washington State equivalent of OSHA is (WISHA), which can have additional state only standards.
Contact the Department of Labor and Industries, Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, WISHA Services Division Exit Ecology for Washington State OSHA information.
OSHA's general website is http://www.osha.gov/ Exit Ecology.
Last updated 07/05/08