AK Asbestos Abatement flashcards
AK Asbestos Abatement · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- OSHA PEL for asbestos
- The permissible exposure limit is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cm³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average, with a 30-minute short-term exposure limit of 1.0 f/cm³.
- Excursion limit
- The OSHA excursion limit for asbestos is 1.0 f/cm³ averaged over a 30-minute sampling period, designed to prevent high short-term exposures.
- ACM definition
- Asbestos-containing material is any material containing more than 1% asbestos by weight, as determined by polarized light microscopy or other approved methods.
- Friable asbestos
- Asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry, indicating a higher potential for fiber release.
- Presumed ACM
- Material that is assumed to contain asbestos because it has not been sampled or analyzed; it must be treated as ACM until proven otherwise by laboratory testing.
- Class I work
- OSHA defines Class I asbestos work as the removal of thermal system insulation and surfacing ACM or presumed ACM, posing the highest exposure risk.
- Class II work
- Class II asbestos work involves the removal of all ACM other than thermal system insulation and surfacing material, such as floor tiles or roofing.
- HEPA filter
- A high-efficiency particulate air filter capable of removing at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter, used in respirators and vacuums.
- Respirator fit test
- A test to ensure a tight seal between the respirator and the wearer's face; required annually and whenever facial changes could affect the seal.
- Medical surveillance
- A program of medical exams for employees exposed to asbestos at or above the PEL, including baseline and annual evaluations, provided at no cost to the employee.
- Negative pressure enclosure
- A containment area kept under negative pressure relative to surrounding spaces using HEPA air filtration units, preventing asbestos fibers from escaping.
- Decontamination unit
- A series of rooms (clean room, shower, equipment room) through which workers pass to remove asbestos contamination before exiting the work area.
- Amended water
- Water with a surfactant added to reduce surface tension, improving wetting of asbestos materials and suppressing fiber release during removal.
- Glove bag
- A sealed enclosure with built-in gloves used for small-scale removal of asbestos-containing pipe insulation or other components without full containment.
- Waste shipment record
- A document required by NESHAP that tracks the transport and disposal of asbestos waste from the generator to the approved landfill.
- Clearance air monitoring
- Air sampling conducted after abatement and final cleaning to verify that airborne asbestos concentrations are below specified clearance criteria before reoccupancy.
- TEM analysis
- Transmission electron microscopy, a sensitive method for identifying and counting asbestos fibers in air samples, often used for clearance in AHERA protocols.
- PCM analysis
- Phase contrast microscopy, an optical method for counting fibers in air samples; it cannot distinguish asbestos from other fibers but is used for compliance monitoring.
- Recordkeeping for exposure
- OSHA requires exposure monitoring records to be retained for 30 years, and medical records for the duration of employment plus 30 years.
- Asbestosis
- A chronic lung disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, characterized by scarring of lung tissue and progressive shortness of breath.
- Mesothelioma
- A rare cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen caused by asbestos exposure, with a long latency period often exceeding 20 years.
- Bulk sample analysis
- Laboratory analysis of a material sample, typically by polarized light microscopy, to determine asbestos content and type.
- Homogeneous area
- A surface area of material that is uniform in color, texture, and date of application, allowing representative sampling rather than sampling every location.
- Protective coveralls
- Disposable full-body garments worn during asbestos abatement to prevent contamination of street clothes and skin; removed in the equipment room.
- User seal check
- A quick check performed by the respirator wearer before each use to ensure the respirator is properly seated and sealed to the face.
- Supplied-air respirator
- A respirator that provides clean breathing air from a remote source, used when airborne concentrations exceed the maximum use level for air-purifying respirators.
- Critical barrier
- A temporary seal, often two layers of plastic sheeting, placed over openings and surfaces to prevent asbestos migration during abatement.
- HEPA air filtration unit
- A portable machine that filters air through HEPA filters and exhausts it outside the containment, maintaining negative pressure and reducing airborne fibers.
- Wet methods
- Techniques that use water or amended water to keep asbestos materials wet during removal, reducing the release of airborne fibers.
- Waste packaging
- Asbestos waste must be placed in leak-tight, sealed containers such as double 6-mil polyethylene bags or drums, labeled with required warnings.
- NESHAP
- The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants regulates asbestos emissions from demolition and renovation, including waste handling and disposal.
- Visual inspection
- A thorough examination of the work area after cleaning to ensure no visible dust or debris remains; required before clearance air monitoring.