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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010

Building Inspectors Hold Key to Mesothelioma-Causing Asbestos Exposure

by Nancy Meredith

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) an estimated 1.3 million employees in the construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Those in the construction industry face the heaviest exposure risks, particularly during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Employees are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building materials) and even during automotive brake and clutch repair work.

While no longer used in new buildings in the United States, asbestos was added to a variety of products including insulation, steam pipes, furnace ducts, floor tiles and roofing shingles, that remains in buildings and homes built prior to the regulations put in place in the 1970′s.

Once asbestos is disturbed during renovation or demolition, the airborne fibers can become lodged in the lungs resulting in asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.  Each year 2,500 to 4,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers – even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can create a risk for contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. 

Due to the serious health risks posed by asbestos, the renovation and demolition of buildings is regulated by both the states and Federal government.  One of the regulations requires that buildings be inspected prior to undertaking the renovation or destruction of a building.  The inspectors are looking for friable asbestos-containing material.

The term “friable asbestos-containing material” refers to any asbestos-containing material in any part of a building which when dry may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. In addition, any asbestos-containing material that is non-friable, but becomes damaged to the extent that when dry it may become friable should be identified. Friable asbestos releases the airborne fibers putting workers and individuals exposed at risk of mesothelioma.

The requirements state that the buildings must be inspected for asbestos containing materials (ACM), and to assess the condition of those materials.  Many of the asbestos containing materials may be located in covered areas such as in wall cavities, under ground level, and in other hidden spaces including ceilings and floors. The inspector should access the hidden spaces as needed to inspect them for suspect materials.

The report to be submitted may include some of the following information:

  • Identification of whether the building will be totally or partially renovated and/or demolished;
  • Description of the building’s structural, mechanical, and roofing systems that are to be disturbed;
  • The different building systems or areas which may contain concealed asbestos materials such as the heating/cooling system, water lines, piping lines or underlying roofing;
  • Listing of all concealed areas which have not been inspected explaining why they were not inspected, such as recent inspection, safety hazard, or restricted entry;
  • Description of the included samples and from where in the building they were collected;
  • Documentation of where asbestos materials exist recording their exact location, condition and quantity.

Once the reports are submitted to the appropriate regulators, the construction request is reviewed to determine whether the project requires asbestos abatement or if construction can continue without any asbestos hazards.

Meticulous and accurate reports submitted by building inspectors can prevent the spread of malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from airborne asbestos fibers.