MD Asbestos Abatement flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Regulated asbestos minerals

Chrysotile plus five amphiboles: amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Chrysotile, a serpentine mineral, accounts for roughly 95 percent of the asbestos used commercially in the United States.

OSHA fiber definition

A particle longer than 5 micrometers with a length-to-width ratio of at least 3:1, counted by phase contrast microscopy; this definition underlies the 0.1 f/cc permissible exposure limit.

Mesothelioma latency period

Mesothelioma typically appears 20 to 50 years after first exposure and can result from brief or low-level exposures, with the highest risk associated with amphibole fibers such as crocidolite and amosite.

Asbestos and smoking synergy

Cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure multiply lung cancer risk rather than simply adding it, producing roughly 50 to 90 times the risk of an unexposed nonsmoker; smoking alone does not cause mesothelioma.

NESHAP RACM thresholds

Regulated asbestos-containing material triggers NESHAP when a renovation or demolition involves at least 260 linear feet of pipe, 160 square feet of other surfaces, or 35 cubic feet of debris.

NESHAP ten working day notice

Written notice must reach EPA or the delegated state agency at least 10 working days before demolition or renovation begins, describing the location, quantity, removal methods, and waste disposal site.

OSHA PEL and excursion limit

The permissible exposure limit is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter as an 8-hour time-weighted average; the excursion limit is 1.0 f/cc averaged over any 30-minute period.

MAP supervisor course length

Model Accreditation Plan initial supervisor training is 5 days (40 hours), followed by an annual refresher; worker training is 4 days (32 hours) with the same annual refresher requirement.

Maryland abatement notification

Maryland requires abatement contractors licensed by the Department of the Environment and project notification at least 10 working days before abatement begins, in addition to the federal NESHAP notice.

Half-mask APR protection factor

A tight-fitting half-mask air-purifying respirator with HEPA filters has an assigned protection factor of 10, so it may be used only up to 10 times the PEL, or 1.0 f/cc for asbestos.

Respirator fit test frequency

Fit testing is required before initial use, annually thereafter, and whenever a condition changes such as weight, dental work, or facial scarring; either quantitative or qualitative methods are acceptable.

HEPA filter requirement

Asbestos work requires HEPA-filtered respirators; dust masks, surgical masks, and non-HEPA cartridges are prohibited because they do not capture fibers at high efficiency.

User seal check

A positive-pressure and negative-pressure check performed each time a respirator is donned to confirm the facepiece seals; a failed check means the respirator must be refitted or replaced.

Negative pressure enclosure

Containment is held at about -0.02 inches of water column relative to surrounding space by HEPA negative air machines sized to provide 4 to 12 air changes per hour.

Amended water

Water mixed with a surfactant that lowers surface tension so it wets asbestos fibers faster; it is applied at low pressure to keep ACM wet and suppress dust during removal.

Critical barriers

Plastic sheeting and tape sealing HVAC vents, doors, windows, and other openings in the containment so fibers cannot escape into occupied spaces of the building.

Glove bag technique

A sealed plastic bag with built-in gloves and sleeves that lets a worker remove pipe insulation without a full containment; waste and tools are bagged directly.

Three-stage decontamination

Dirty equipment room, then shower, then clean room, arranged so workers always move from contaminated to clean; the decontamination unit attaches directly to the containment.

Respirator removal point

Protective clothing is removed and bagged in the dirty room, the worker showers, and the respirator is removed and cleaned in the clean room, never inside the containment.

Prohibited regulated area activities

Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco, and applying cosmetics are banned in the regulated area; hands and face must be washed before any break.

PCM fiber counting limits

Phase contrast microscopy, NIOSH 7300, counts fibers longer than 5 micrometers with a 3:1 aspect ratio but cannot distinguish asbestos from other mineral or organic fibers.

AHERA TEM clearance criterion

School abatement clearance uses aggressive air sampling inside containment and transmission electron microscopy; the criterion is 70 or fewer structures per square millimeter.

PCM clearance level

Many regulations and project specifications require post-abatement clearance at 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter by PCM, sampled while the containment still holds negative pressure.

Aggressive air sampling

A blower or fan is directed at containment surfaces to resuspend settled dust before and during clearance sampling, giving a conservative estimate of residual fiber levels.

Asbestos waste label text

Containers must read DANGER: CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS, AVOID CREATING DUST, CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD, plus the generator name and site when not disposed on site.

Waste shipment record

NESHAP requires a waste shipment record; if the generator does not receive confirmation of receipt within 45 days, it must contact the disposal site and file a report if unresolved.

Asbestos landfill requirements

Waste must go to a landfill permitted to accept asbestos, be covered promptly, and not be compacted while uncovered; trucks are tarped and must show no visible emissions.

Medical surveillance trigger

Employers must offer medical exams to workers exposed at or above the PEL or excursion limit for 30 or more days per year, and to those required to wear negative-pressure respirators.

Exposure record retention

Air monitoring data and negative exposure assessments must be kept for 30 years; medical records must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years.

Chest X-ray B-read

Pre-placement and periodic exams include a 14-by-17-inch posterior-anterior chest radiograph interpreted by a NIOSH-certified B-reader, plus pulmonary function testing.

Annual asbestos training

All asbestos workers and supervisors complete initial training and an annual refresher; documentation includes the employee name, training date, and trainer identification and is kept on file.

Record access timeframe

Employees and their designated representatives must receive requested exposure and medical records within 15 working days; the physician's written opinion is provided to the employee.