Asbestos

[ajk1]

We have been provided with an asbestos analysis report of an analysis done on some composite wood flooring installed in 1966. In the planned redecoration of this room, we have 2 options, one of which is to install the new vinyl flooring on top of this existing flooring, in which case it should not matter if there is any asbestos or not in the existing since it is confined. The other option is to remove the existing flooring and install the new vinyl flooing on top of the old concre slab-on-grade, in which case we need to know if any special asbestos abatement meassures are necessary during the existing flooring removal process. Does anyone know if this report (see below) indicates that asbestos abatement measures are required during the removal of the existing flooring?

The report says:

Asbetos/Quartz/Other Fibres
Other Fibres: Cellulose 1-10%
Asbestos: Chrysotile (Surpentine) < 1%
Other Non Fibrous: Filler 75-99%
Trace amount of asbestos foundon the surface of the sample. Possible contamination.

 

[Ron]

Is the asbestos in a friable form or is it bound in mastic or other?

 

[racookpe1978]

If in bounded form (tiles or the like) glue the next flooring over it. Write result down.

 

[oldestguy]

We always called this type of floor as encapsulated. No problem to leave it. If you have to remove it, there are acceptable ways to do this, but usually very expensive per pound removed. Moon suits and enclosed rooms with air monitoring among the requirements. The subject reminds me of a case where I was checking out a multi story university cancer research center. Inside the elevator shafts on exterior walls was blown on friable asbestos, some of which dropped on the elevators, explaining malfunctions now and then. Inside the numerous heating air ducts along outside walls also was blown on friable asbestos. Now that surely was a bad situation!!! I never heard if that affected their animals going through testing or if moon suits were issued. At the time the removal cost estimate far exceeded the budget.

 

[JStephen]

You might spend some time perusing the OSHA requirements for asbestos handling to see if there is a meaningful definition of what does and what does not count as asbestos. Actually talking to whoever wrote the report may be informative as well.

 

[ajk1]

thanks all. i will have to go to the building science people to interpret the findings.

 

[TomDOT]

I'm reasonably sure that if lab results came in under 1%, the material could be treated as non-asbestos (not ACM.)

OSHA link seems to match it:

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9995

Also, most initial asbestos tests are a quick/cheap PLM, which tends to overestimate the amount of asbestos present (depending on the tech) - if the PLM comes back between 1% and 10%, I recommend retesting by point count.

EPA came up with the same numbers I did for retest by point count (though realistically, I have hardly ever seen anything PLM over 3% later come back under 1% with a point count)

http://www.epa.gov/oecaadix/pdf/adi-asbestos-c112.pdf

 

[hope9010]

TomDot - ok, thanks very much. That is very helpful.