ABAA CABS key terms

Material that contains more than one percent asbestos and can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Friability drives how easily fibers become airborne.

The detachment of microscopic asbestos fibers from a material into the air through disturbance, deterioration, or normal activity. Inhalation of these fibers is the primary exposure route of concern.

Taking asbestos fibers into the lungs through breathing contaminated air. This is the dominant pathway linked to asbestos-related disease in building occupants and workers.

The delay, often decades, between first asbestos exposure and the appearance of related disease. Long latency makes historical exposures relevant to current health assessments.

A progressive scarring of lung tissue caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, typically associated with sustained high exposures. It impairs gas exchange and can cause shortness of breath and reduced lung function.

A cancer of the thin membranes lining the chest or abdomen, strongly associated with asbestos exposure. It can occur after relatively low cumulative exposures and has a long latency.

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Federal rules under the Clean Air Act that govern how asbestos-containing material is handled, removed, and disposed of during demolition and renovation.

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. Federal law requiring schools to inspect for asbestos, prepare management plans, and follow specific response actions and accreditation requirements for inspectors and planners.

Worker-protection regulations covering construction and general industry that set permissible exposure limits, require exposure monitoring, regulated areas, training, and respiratory protection for employees who disturb asbestos.

The maximum airborne asbestos concentration to which a worker may be exposed over a defined averaging period under OSHA rules. Exceedances trigger engineering controls and respiratory protection requirements.

A workplace area demarcated by an employer where asbestos exposure may exceed permissible limits. Access is restricted to authorized, trained, and properly protected workers.

Any material found to contain more than one percent asbestos by weight using prescribed analysis methods. The threshold determines which regulatory requirements and handling precautions apply.

Asbestos-containing material that cannot be crumbled or pulverized by hand pressure when dry. It releases fibers mainly when cut, sanded, or broken, so handling rules depend on the activity.

A NESHAP classification for nonfriable materials such as asphalt roofing, gaskets, and resilient floor coverings. Special handling and notification rules apply when such material is sanded, ground, or cut.

A NESHAP classification for nonfriable materials other than Category I, such as some cement products. It becomes regulated when it is crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder during handling.

A NESHAP term for asbestos-containing material that is friable, will likely become friable, or has become friable through handling. It triggers specific removal, handling, and disposal requirements.

Material assumed to contain asbestos because it has not been sampled or because sampling is impractical, such as some inaccessible insulation. It must be treated as asbestos-containing until proven otherwise.

The process of gathering building information, defining scope and access needs, and coordinating with owners before a walkthrough. Good planning improves safety, completeness, and accurate sampling.

Examining building drawings, prior inspection reports, work orders, and maintenance logs before fieldwork. It reveals likely materials, past disturbances, and areas needing special attention.

Clearly explaining inspection scope, limitations, access constraints, and expected deliverables to the building owner or representative. It sets expectations and supports informed decisions about the property.

A surface area of building material that is uniform in color, texture, and date of application. It is treated as one unit for sampling, so results are assumed to represent the whole area.

A documented strategy specifying how many samples to collect from each homogeneous area, where to collect them, and how to handle inaccessible areas. It ensures results support reliable conclusions.

A physical portion of building material collected for laboratory analysis to determine asbestos content. Proper collection, labeling, and handling protect sample integrity and the sampler.

A written record tracking each sample from collection through transport and receipt at the laboratory. It documents who handled the sample and when, supporting defensible results.

A laboratory method using polarized light and optical properties to identify asbestos minerals and estimate their percentage in bulk samples. It is the standard method for most building materials.

A microscopy method that counts airborne fibers but cannot distinguish asbestos from other fibers. It is used for air monitoring and clearance comparisons rather than material identification.

A laboratory technique that estimates asbestos percentage more precisely by counting points on a prepared slide. It is used when a result near the one percent threshold needs confirmation.

The written deliverable documenting inspected areas, materials identified, sample locations and results, limitations, and recommendations. It must be clear, accurate, and traceable to field records.

A document required for schools that describes asbestos locations, condition, response actions, and schedules for managing the material in place. It guides ongoing maintenance and communication.

A set of procedures for safely managing asbestos-containing material that remains in a building, including work practices, training, and periodic surveillance. It reduces disturbance and fiber release.

Evaluating ducts, plenums, insulation, and air-handling equipment for asbestos-containing material and for pathways that could spread fibers through a building. It informs risk and sampling decisions.

Acting with honesty, objectivity, and integrity, including avoiding conflicts of interest and reporting findings accurately regardless of pressure. Ethical conduct protects public health and the credibility of inspections.

Planned checks and procedures, such as duplicate samples, blanks, and laboratory accreditation review, that confirm data reliability. It supports consistent, defensible inspection results.

A sealed enclosure, often of plastic sheeting with negative pressure, built around a work area to keep asbestos fibers from escaping. It protects occupants and workers during disturbance or removal.

Maintaining lower air pressure inside a containment than outside so air flows inward and fibers stay enclosed. It is monitored with gauges and supported by exhaust units and filters.

Post-abatement air testing conducted inside a containment to confirm fiber levels are acceptably low before the enclosure is removed. Results determine whether the area can be released.

Visual inspection and air sampling performed after removal to confirm that asbestos-containing material is gone and the area is clean. It supports release of the space for reoccupancy.