Asbestos in Damaged Buildings
Structures that have been damaged or have collapsed due to the
earthquake may contain hazardous materials, principally asbestos.
Any building built before 1984 may contain asbestos materials. Home
or building owner and workers cleaning up debris should take steps
to protect themselves, or hire a licensed contractor to handle the
cleanup.
Prior to 1984, asbestos was used in some building materials
including roof, floor tiles, acoustic ceilings, insulation,
sound-proofing, cement pipes, heating ducts, pipe coverings and
other materials. When left in place, asbestos in building materials
typically does not pose a hazard. When disturbed for any reason, it
can become airborne. A toxic air contaminant, asbestos is known to
cause lung cancer and other lung diseases.
The following tips are recommended to help homeowners protect
themselves from potential asbestos exposure:
- Hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor if asbestos is
known to be present. Debris should be stabilized by wetting and
covering with plastic sheeting until removed.
- When wetting suspected or known asbestos-containing material,
use a fine, low-pressure spray of water and avoid generating
runoff.
- To reduce the amount of material disposed of as asbestos-and
the cost of disposal-homeowners can hire a certified asbestos
consultant to test and identify asbestos so that it can be
separated from non-asbestos debris.
The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District has the
local responsibility to regulate material containing more than 1
percent asbestos, and can be contacted at their office for advice at
781-5912 during regular business hours.
For additional information:
View our asbestos information page: http://www.slocleanair.org/business/asbestos.asp
See US EPA’s information on asbestos in the home at: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/asbestos/ashome.html
For more information please refer to
APCD’s asbestos
notification form, required for contractors performing cleanups.
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