Background
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber extensively used in building materials from the 1930’s until the 1970’s. It is resistant to heat, mechanical stress, and water. Asbestos fibers are only a hazard when they become airborne and are inhalable. Urban air, such as in Cambridge, may have asbestos fiber levels somewhere around 0.001 f/cm3. The OSHA permissible exposure limit is 0.1 f/cm3. Asbestos-containing materials are defined as containing more than 1% of asbestos in its composition.
Over three thousand products have been manufactured as asbestos-containing materials, so presume all building materials contain asbestos unless an asbestos survey report says otherwise. Common locations on campus where asbestos may be found include:
- Spray-applied fireproofing
- Pipe, tank & boiler insulation (with all fittings included)
- Air duct seam tape & vibration cloth
- Air & furnace duct insulation
- Gaskets
- Cement pipe, conduit & duct
- Corrugated & flat cement siding
- Roofing tar, felt, mastic & shingles
- Plaster & sheetrock joint compound
- Acoustic ceiling or wall tile & adhesives
- Floor tile, sheet vinyl, linoleum & adhesives
- Cove base & ceramic tile adhesives
- Lab countertops, equipment insulation & fume hood liners
- Fire door & wire insulation
- Caulking & glazing compounds
- Panels in cooling tower
Asbestos contained in intact solid material poses a negligible risk of exposure, but we should always avoid disturbing potential asbestos containing materials. Asbestos can still be added to products today, so vintage is not a parameter for whether a building material contains asbestos or not – only an asbestos survey report can determine whether a material contains asbestos. If there is an asbestos warning sign at the entrance to a work area, do not enter under any circumstances.
Protective Measures
- Presume all building materials contain asbestos unless an asbestos survey report says otherwise
- Do not remove, cut, drill, sand, grind or otherwise disturb any building materials without reviewing an asbestos survey report to determine if the material is not ACM
- Do not install screws, pins, nails, hangers or do damage to ceilings or walls without reviewing an asbestos survey report to determine if the material is not ACM
- Immediately report any observed damage or deterioration of suspect building materials
Emergency Response Measures
- Exit the area; do NOT try to clean the material up.
- Call EHS Asbestos Management Program Personnel or Operations if after hours (4:00 PM – 7:00 AM) at 617-253-1500.
- If possible, close off the space and post a warning “Do Not Enter”.
If you have any questions regarding asbestos at the Institute, please call the EHS Asbestos Management Program Personnel:
- McAnneny, Brian – (617) 253-0165
- Wah, Matthew – (617) 253-1665
Resources
Background
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber extensively used in building materials from the 1930’s until the 1970’s. It is resistant to heat, mechanical stress, and water. Asbestos fibers are only a hazard when they become airborne and are inhalable. Urban air, such as in Cambridge, may have asbestos fiber levels somewhere around 0.001 f/cm3. The OSHA permissible exposure limit is 0.1 f/cm3. Asbestos-containing materials are defined as containing more than 1% of asbestos in its composition.
Over three thousand products have been manufactured as asbestos-containing materials, so presume all building materials contain asbestos unless an asbestos survey report says otherwise. Common locations on campus where asbestos may be found include:
- Spray-applied fireproofing
- Pipe, tank & boiler insulation (with all fittings included)
- Air duct seam tape & vibration cloth
- Air & furnace duct insulation
- Gaskets
- Cement pipe, conduit & duct
- Corrugated & flat cement siding
- Roofing tar, felt, mastic & shingles
- Plaster & sheetrock joint compound
- Acoustic ceiling or wall tile & adhesives
- Floor tile, sheet vinyl, linoleum & adhesives
- Cove base & ceramic tile adhesives
- Lab countertops, equipment insulation & fume hood liners
- Fire door & wire insulation
- Caulking & glazing compounds
- Panels in cooling tower
Asbestos contained in intact solid material poses a negligible risk of exposure, but we should always avoid disturbing potential asbestos containing materials. Asbestos can still be added to products today, so vintage is not a parameter for whether a building material contains asbestos or not – only an asbestos survey report can determine whether a material contains asbestos. If there is an asbestos warning sign at the entrance to a work area, do not enter under any circumstances.
Protective Measures
- Presume all building materials contain asbestos unless an asbestos survey report says otherwise
- Do not remove, cut, drill, sand, grind or otherwise disturb any building materials without reviewing an asbestos survey report to determine if the material is not ACM
- Do not install screws, pins, nails, hangers or do damage to ceilings or walls without reviewing an asbestos survey report to determine if the material is not ACM
- Immediately report any observed damage or deterioration of suspect building materials
Emergency Response Measures
- Exit the area; do NOT try to clean the material up.
- Call EHS Asbestos Management Program Personnel or Operations if after hours (4:00 PM – 7:00 AM) at 617-253-1500.
- If possible, close off the space and post a warning “Do Not Enter”.
If you have any questions regarding asbestos at the Institute, please call the EHS Asbestos Management Program Personnel:
- McAnneny, Brian – (617) 253-0165
- Wah, Matthew – (617) 253-1665