Radon testing protocols
very slightly for homeowners testing and for testing
during a real estate transaction. However, the testing
minimum is 48 hours and "closed house conditions"
must be maintained for accurate test results.
-
sprayed-on fireproofing
- sprayed-on or textured ceiling material
- pipe and boiler insulation
- floor tiles and associated mastics
- cement pipe and sheeting
- roofing felts and shingles
- ceiling tiles
- drywall and joint compounds
- acoustical products
Unlike most minerals, asbestos breaks up into fine,
light fibers invisible to the naked eye that can only
be seen under a microscope. Intact and undisturbed
asbestos-containing material (ACM) usually does not
pose a health risk. It becomes a problem when asbestos
fibers are released into the air due to damage, disturbance,
or deterioration over time.
What are the dangers
of asbestos exposure? Asbestos fibers enter
the body when a person inhales or ingests airborne
particles that become embedded in the tissues of the
respiratory or digestive systems. Exposure to asbestos
can cause disabling or fatal diseases such as asbestosis,
an emphysema-like condition; lung cancer; mesothelioma,
a cancerous tumor that spreads rapidly in the cells
of membranes covering the lungs and body organs; and
gastrointestinal cancer. The symptoms of these diseases
generally do not appear for 20 or more years after
initial exposure.
Why Regulations?
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and
enforce regulations to protect the general public
from exposure to airborne contaminants that are known
to be hazardous to human health. In accordance with
Section 112 of the CAA, EPA established National Emissions
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) to
protect the public. On March 31, 1971, EPA identified
asbestos as a hazardous pollutant, and on April 6,
1973, EPA first promulgated the Asbestos NESHAP in
40 CFR Part 61.
The purpose of the asbestos NESHAP is to protect
the public health by minimizing the release of asbestos
when buildings containing asbestos are demolished
or renovated. EPA delegates the responsibility of
enforcing the asbestos NESHAP to state and local agencies.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation,
Division of Air Pollution Control, is responsible
for enforcing these regulations for the state of Tennessee
with the exception of Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and
Shelby counties. Demolition and asbestos renovation
activities conducted in these counties are under the
jurisdiction of a local air agency which is the point
of contact for notification and permitting requirements.
What should I do
if asbestos is in my home? If you have ACM
in your home, your choices are to remove it, contain
it, or live with it. The recommended thing to do,
if the ACM is in good condition, is to leave it alone.
The only way it can affect your health is when the
material is damaged and fibers become airborne. If
it is moderately damaged, it is recommended that you
manage it in place (repair the damage and contain
it, possibly with a coat of paint or sealer). Removing
and disposing of any ACM is expensive and also increases
the likelihood of releasing the fibers into the air.
If you feel that you cannot live with it, then the
services of an asbestos abatement contractor should
be considered. There are commercial companies that
can be hired to remove ACM from homes and buildings.
However, these companies are not regulated by the
state. It would be advisable to checkout these companies
with your local Better Business Bureau. Due to the
expense involved with the removal of asbestos from
a home, it is also recommended that a homeowner obtain
bids from several companies.
Do I need an EPSC
inspection? EPSC inspections are required
for job sites that require the disturbance of soil.
Erosion inspections (observing silt fences, storm
drains and related water issues) are conducted on
a weekly or monthly basis depending upon the size
of the project.
Scope of services?
The EPSC inspection services consultant
will be responsible for inspecting and reporting all
EPSC activites and features within the project limits
and affected areas during each site visit (the contractor
is to obtain all permits and perform inspection on
off-site waste and borrow areas and should not be
included in the affected area). All EPSC activites
and features that occur between site visits shall
be documented at the next site visit through information
from the TDPT project supervisor. The services will
be performed until the project is completed. The EPSC
inspection services consultant will serve as an agent
of the Department (TDOT) and will repport directly
to the TDPT project supervisor. All communications
to the contractor will be through the TDPT project
supervisor unless otherwise specified by the TDPT
project supervisor. If the TDPT project supervisor
specifies a designee, please provide the delegation
of authority document, to the NPDES coordinator via
email and posted on the ftp site.
