Environmental Health

Asbestos Advisory Bulletin

Asbestos Abatement and Management Activities in NJ Schools

In 1986, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which covers all K-12 grade schools and regulates the inspection, abatement, and management of ACM.

In 1988, the Consumer, Environmental and Occupational Health Service (CEOHS) of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -National Risk Management Research Laboratory began assessing the success of these programs. This bulletin contains information that is a direct result of the studies conducted under this program and provides information regarding asbestos management programs in schools. It will assist schools who have conducted asbestos abatement, plan to perform asbestos abatement, or who continue asbestos operations and maintenance (O&M) activities. You should retain this information with your asbestos management plan (AMP) for future reference. 

Summary

The Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program (EOHAP) of the NJDOH and the federal EPA conducted a series of studies at 20 asbestos abatement sites in 17 New Jersey schools over a four year period. The studies examined asbestos abatement and management activities required under AHERA. The activities evaluated included the observation and assessment of abatement projects, documentation of AMP activities, air monitoring to determine airborne asbestos concentrations, and visual inspections.

The studies indicated that improperly performed asbestos removal, faulty O&M activities, or ineffective asbestos management programs, can cause exposure to asbestos hazards. The principal conclusions are that:

  • Elevated airborne asbestos levels were found at 45% of the sites studied. These levels were caused by asbestos-containing debris remaining from abatement and O&M activities conducted by school staff. Elevated levels were documented immediately following abatement, as well as 2 to 4 years later.

  • Errors in the schools’ AMP were found in 76% of the schools. The errors included problems with material identification or its location. Inaccuracies in the AMP contributed to the unintentional disturbance of ACM at 23% of these schools.

These findings demonstrate that school officials must increase their understanding of asbestos issues and improve the oversight of asbestos abatement and management programs.

Background

Asbestos is a mineral fiber which was used in many building materials for fireproofing, insulation, and decorative purposes, as well as in siding, shingles, and vinyl floor tiles. Although the mere presence of asbestos in a building is not a hazard, asbestos materials may become damaged or deteriorated over time and release asbestos fibers into the air. Breathing high levels of these fibers can result in an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

The EPA and NJDOH recommend a proactive, in-place management program whenever ACM is present in buildings. Removal is required, however, when it is necessary to prevent significant exposure to airborne asbestos during renovation, maintenance, or demolition. The ultimate goal of every asbestos abatement project is to eliminate or reduce to the greatest extent possible, any actual or potential hazard which airborne asbestos may present to building occupants.

Discussion

Asbestos Abatement

The removal of ACM, when appropriate, can be an effective management practice. However, school officials must be aware that improper removal can cause elevated airborne asbestos levels. For example, if ACM is not properly cleaned up, the remaining debris can cause elevated airborne asbestos levels immediately after and/or years after the abatement activity. These studies document that 70% of abatement sites were found to contain residual debris after clearance monitoring. Some asbestos abatement contractors did not properly contain the abatement site, effectively operate the air filtration equipment, or remove all the ACM. Attention to detail in cleaning practices, which helps to assure that all asbestos debris has been abated, was also incomplete.

Clearance Activities

Often, the consulting firms conducting clearance air monitoring and inspections did not fully understand and follow state and federal sampling and analytical requirements. These firms must:

  • Ensure that all debris is cleaned from the abated area by conducting a thorough, standardized visual inspection.
  • That the abated area is sufficiently dry and has good air circulation during clearance air monitoring.
  • Follow AHERA sampling and analytical protocols.

Management/O&M Activities

AHERA requires school officials to designate a person responsible for ensuring the management of ACM. All school buildings must be inspected for the presence of ACM and an AMP must be developed to assist in the control of the ACM identified.  Additionally, all schools must maintain and update their AMP for the following reasons:

  • ACM Abatements which includes notices, air sampling results, etc.
  • Periodic surveillance or AMP
  • Three year re-inspection
  • Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities involving ACM
  • Training

An alarming 76% of the schools studied had inaccuracies in the AMP relating to material identification or the location.  Unaware that asbestos material was present, maintenance workers performing routine activities on and around ACM.  This caused elevated airborne asbestos levels in areas where the work was performed. Records of O&M activities involving ACM must be kept up-to-date and identified in the AMP. It is the school administration's responsibility to ensure that staff and outside contractors working in the vicinity of any ACM, reference the AMP prior to performing their activities. Asbestos management programs must be carefully developed and implemented to minimize the building occupants’ exposure to asbestos.

Recommended Action

As a result of these studies, the following actions are recommended:

  • School officials and designated persons should increase their awareness and understanding of asbestos abatement regulations. The school will be better prepared to assess asbestos abatement situations and to obtain the services they are paying for.

  • Following abatement activities, school officials should work with consultants to ensure that all ACM was removed, the area was thoroughly cleaned, a standardized visual inspection was performed, and satisfactory clearance air monitoring in compliance with AHERA was completed.

  • School officials should evaluate the effectiveness of their O&M program and periodic surveillance. Areas that have undergone asbestos removal or an O&M activity (involving ACM) should be thoroughly reinspected for the presence of residual asbestos-containing debris. If asbestos-containing debris is found, a thorough cleaning and follow-up air monitoring should be conducted.

  • Each school must maintain and update its AMP to keep it current with ongoing O&M activities, periodic surveillance, inspection/reinspection, and response/post-response actions. The school should ensure that workers who may disturb asbestos-containing materials are aware of changes in the AMP.
Additional Information
Last Reviewed: 11/23/2016