MI Asbestos Abatement flashcards

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

NESHAP threshold quantities

Renovation or demolition involving at least 160 square feet on facility components, 260 linear feet on pipes, or 35 cubic feet off components where length cannot be measured triggers NESHAP requirements.

RACM definition

Regulated asbestos-containing material: friable asbestos, Category I nonfriable that will become or has become friable, and Category II nonfriable that has a high probability of becoming crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder.

Class I asbestos work

Removal of thermal system insulation and surfacing ACM or PACM. It carries the highest exposure potential and requires the strictest controls, including a negative pressure enclosure and critical barriers.

OSHA PEL and excursion limit

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

Competent person duties

Identifies asbestos hazards, has authority to take corrective action, performs at least one inspection per shift on Class I and II work, and verifies containment and negative pressure integrity.

Mesothelioma latency

A malignancy of the pleura or peritoneum with a latency commonly of 20 to 50 years after first exposure. Risk is associated most strongly with amphibole fibers such as amosite and crocidolite.

Asbestosis latency

Diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis caused by cumulative asbestos dose. Latency is typically 15 to 30 years, and it is a non-malignant pneumoconiosis distinct from asbestos-related malignancy.

Smoking synergy with asbestos

Cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure interact multiplicatively for lung cancer risk, so an exposed smoker's risk far exceeds the sum of the individual risks. Smoking cessation is the key intervention.

Medical surveillance trigger

Required for employees exposed at or above the PEL or excursion limit for 30 or more days per year. Examinations are provided within 10 working days of assignment and annually thereafter.

Six regulated asbestos minerals

Chrysotile (serpentine group) plus the amphiboles amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Chrysotile is curly; amphiboles are straight, needle-like, and more biopersistent.

Friable versus nonfriable

Friable material can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Nonfriable material cannot, but may become friable through damage, cutting, or deterioration.

Presumed asbestos-containing material

Under OSHA, thermal system insulation and surfacing material in buildings constructed before 1981 are presumed to contain asbestos unless sampled and shown otherwise.

Category I nonfriable examples

Asphalt roofing products, packings, gaskets, resilient floor covering, and asphalt-containing mastics. These remain Category I unless they become friable.

Homogeneous area

Material that is uniform in color, texture, and date of application. Each homogeneous area must be sampled separately to characterize the building's ACM.

Bulk sampling method

Collect a representative number of samples per homogeneous area using a wetting agent, a HEPA vacuum, and a sealed container. Analyze by polarized light microscopy per EPA guidelines.

Ten working day notification

NESHAP requires notification to the EPA or delegated state agency postmarked or delivered at least 10 working days before work begins, with a revised notice if the start date changes.

Negative pressure requirement

HEPA-filtered negative air machines maintain at least 0.02 inches of water column (5 Pa) pressure differential relative to adjacent areas, with a minimum of 4 air changes per hour.

Three-stage decontamination unit

A clean room, shower, and equipment/waste room in series. Workers HEPA vacuum before showering and change into clean clothing in the clean room before exiting.

Amended water

Water mixed with a surfactant to reduce surface tension and improve penetration of ACM. It is applied before and during removal to suppress airborne fiber release.

Critical barriers

Seals over openings, HVAC vents, and penetrations that isolate the work area. They are constructed of fire-retardant plastic sheeting and are inspected each shift.

Respirator assigned protection

A half-mask HEPA respirator is used up to 10 times the PEL; a full-facepiece air-purifying respirator up to 50 times the PEL; supplied-air or powered air-purifying respirators for higher levels.

HEPA filter requirement

Only P100 high-efficiency particulate air filters are permitted for asbestos work. Dust/mist respirators are not adequate because they do not capture fibers at the required efficiency.

Fit testing frequency

Tight-fitting respirators require a medical evaluation, annual fit testing, and a user seal check before each use, as required by the OSHA respiratory protection standard.

PCM fiber counting

Phase contrast microscopy counts fibers longer than 5 micrometers with a length-to-width ratio of at least 3:1 on a 0.8 micrometer mixed cellulose ester filter. It cannot identify fiber type.

Clearance sampling timing

Clearance air sampling occurs after final cleaning and a satisfactory visual inspection, while the containment remains under negative pressure. Results must meet the project's clearance criterion.

Aggressive sampling

Air movement, such as a fan, is used to disturb settled fibers during clearance sampling to produce a conservative result that better represents potential occupant exposure.

Asbestos waste packaging

RACM must be wetted, bagged, and sealed in leak-tight labeled containers before leaving the containment. Container exteriors are decontaminated before transport.

Landfill cover requirement

Asbestos waste must be deposited at a permitted landfill and covered with at least 6 inches of non-asbestos material, or handled as the landfill permit specifies.

Waste chain of custody

Documentation tracing waste from the work area to the disposal site, including the hauler, landfill, and weight or volume. Retain manifests and receipts in the project file.

Record retention periods

OSHA exposure records are typically kept 30 years; medical records for the duration of employment plus 30 years. Training and fit test records are also retained.

Revised notification triggers

A revised NESHAP notification is required if the start date changes or if the amount of RACM changes by more than 20 percent or the work practices change.

Employee notification of results

The employer must notify employees in writing of exposure monitoring results within 15 working days of receipt, either individually or by posting in a conspicuous location.