Overview
Asbestos is a category of fibrous minerals that were widely used in industry and commercial building products for their durable properties. It is this durability combined with its ability to penetrate deep into the lung which makes it so hazardous to human health. Asbestos fibers enter the body by being breathed in or by being swallowed and can become lodged in the respiratory or digestive systems. Exposure to asbestos can cause many disabling or fatal diseases; these diseases take years to develop.
Among these diseases is asbestosis, a chronic lung disease characterized by lung scarring which stiffens the lung. This interferes with normal lung function, resulting in shortness of breath, increased vulnerability to lung infections, and sometimes death. Occupational exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung and gastrointestinal cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that spreads rapidly in the membranes covering the lungs and body organs.
Because of the serious health effects that exposure to asbestos can cause, the handling of asbestos-containing materials is regulated in New Jersey. Several different state agencies regulate asbestos as follows:
Jersey. Several different state agencies regulate asbestos as follows:
STATE AGENCY | RESPONSIBILITIES | CONTACT INFO |
NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) - Indoor Environments Program |
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Website Phone: (609) 826-4950 Fax: (609) 826-4975 |
NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJDLWD) – Asbestos Control and Licensing Section |
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Website Phone: (609) 633-2159 Fax: (609) 633-0664 |
NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) – Asbestos/Lead Unit |
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Website Phone: (609) 633-6224 Fax: (609) 633-1040 |
NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) |
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Website Phone: (609) 633-1418 Fax: (609) 633-1112 |
NJ Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDOH) – Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Program |
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Website Phone: (609) 984-1863 Fax: (609) 984-2779 |