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Asbestos

If you plan to do a renovation, please submit an Asbestos Survey Request Form


Asbestos Survey Request Form

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:

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:

Resources