NH Asbestos Abatement key terms

Any material or product that contains more than one percent asbestos by weight, as determined by an accredited laboratory using polarized light microscopy or an equivalent accepted method.

Material assumed to contain asbestos until sampling proves otherwise. Thermal system insulation and surfacing materials in buildings constructed before the applicable cutoff date fall into this category by default.

ACM that is friable, or that becomes friable when handled, and therefore triggers specific work practice, notification, and waste-handling requirements under asbestos regulations.

Describes material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry, making fiber release likely and increasing the level of required control.

Asbestos-containing material that cannot be crumbled or powdered by ordinary hand pressure when dry, such as intact floor tile, roofing, or cement products.

Non-friable asbestos-containing material such as packings, gaskets, resilient floor coverings, and asphalt roofing products that generally remains non-friable during normal handling and removal.

Non-friable asbestos-containing material other than Category I, such as asbestos cement sheet and shingles, which may become friable if broken, sanded, or heavily damaged.

Insulation applied to pipes, boilers, tanks, ducts, and related equipment to control heat loss or gain; in older buildings it is commonly presumed to contain asbestos.

Material sprayed, troweled, or otherwise applied to surfaces for fireproofing, acoustical treatment, or decoration, such as sprayed-on ceiling texture or fireproofing on structural steel.

A physical portion of material collected for laboratory analysis to determine asbestos content, using techniques that avoid contaminating the sample or releasing fibers.

The standard laboratory method for identifying asbestos minerals in bulk building material samples by examining their optical properties under polarized light, often with gravimetric reduction for certain matrices.

Collecting airborne fiber samples, typically on membrane filters, to measure worker exposure or the effectiveness of containment; results are analyzed by phase contrast microscopy.

A microscopy method that counts airborne fibers by size and shape but cannot distinguish asbestos from other fibers, so it is used for exposure and clearance monitoring rather than identification.

A high-magnification method that identifies fiber type and structure, used when confirmation of asbestos fibers is required, such as post-abatement clearance in some settings.

An air sample collected in the worker's breathing zone using a pump and filter cassette worn on the body, used to estimate individual exposure over a shift or task.

The legally enforceable maximum airborne asbestos fiber concentration for an eight-hour work shift, averaged over the sampling period, that an employer must keep workers below.

A short-term ceiling on airborne fiber concentration measured over a brief sampling period, which must not be exceeded even if the full-shift average remains below the PEL.

An exposure value calculated by averaging measured fiber concentrations over a defined period, such as a full work shift, to compare against an exposure limit.

Any activity designed to permanently remove, encapsulate, or enclose asbestos-containing material, or to otherwise control fiber release from it.

The physical taking out of asbestos-containing material from a building or structure, followed by proper packaging and disposal as regulated waste.

Coating asbestos-containing material with a sealant that penetrates or bridges the surface to bind fibers and prevent release, without removing the material.

Constructing an airtight barrier around asbestos-containing material so fibers cannot escape into occupied space, leaving the material in place.

A sealed work area built with plastic sheeting, taped seams, and negative pressure that isolates abatement activity and prevents fiber migration to surrounding spaces.

A pressure differential created by exhausting air from a containment so that air flows inward, keeping fibers from escaping through gaps or doorways.

A physical barrier such as plastic sheeting or a taped seam that must remain intact to keep the containment sealed; any breach must be repaired before work continues.

A filter rated to remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter, used in vacuums, negative air machines, and respirators to capture fibers.

A connected sequence of rooms, typically a clean room, shower room, and equipment room, that workers pass through to remove contamination before leaving the work area.

Gear worn to protect the worker from exposure, including respirators, disposable coveralls, gloves, and eye protection appropriate to the task and exposure level.

A device worn over the face that filters or supplies clean air to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne fibers; selection depends on exposure level and requires fit testing.

A procedure that checks whether a respirator seals properly against the wearer's face, required before use and repeated periodically according to the employer's program.

Techniques that keep asbestos-containing material wet with amended water during removal to suppress fiber release, reducing airborne concentrations and contamination.

Water mixed with a wetting agent such as a surfactant that reduces surface tension, allowing it to penetrate asbestos material more effectively and control dust.

A sealed plastic bag with built-in gloves used to remove small amounts of asbestos material, such as pipe insulation, while keeping the operation enclosed.

Air sampling conducted inside a containment after abatement and cleaning to verify that fiber levels are low enough for the area to be released for occupancy.

A thorough examination of the work area for dust, debris, and residue after cleaning, performed before clearance sampling to confirm the abatement is complete.

A tracking document that follows asbestos waste from the generation site to the disposal facility, confirming proper transport and disposal and retained for the required period.

Packaging removed asbestos material in leak-tight, labeled containers or bags before transport so that fibers cannot escape during handling and disposal.

A trained individual who performs removal, encapsulation, or enclosure work under supervision, having completed required training and certification for the jurisdiction.

A credential issued by the state that authorizes a business to perform asbestos abatement work, requiring proof of training, insurance, and compliance with regulations.

A written notice submitted to the appropriate regulatory agency before abatement begins, describing the project, location, schedule, and work practices so the work can be tracked.