Asbestos FAQ

FAQ’s regarding working with asbestos--This section is broken into two key audience groups - Homeowners and Contractors.

Homeowners

Q:  I am worried there might be asbestos in my home? How can I tell?

A:  Asbestos is only a concern if it is disturbed—that’s when fibers are released into the air. This could occur during a remodel or repair project. The only way to know for sure is to have the material tested. If you are planning a renovation, you may perform your own survey of the structure to determine if it may have suspected asbestos-containing materials. You should have suspected materials tested for asbestos prior to renovation by submitting a sample for lab analysis. (vermiculite insulation is an exception). Labs are listed in the yellow pages under "Asbestos--Consulting and Testing." Ask a laboratory technician to instruct you how to properly obtain a sample. Please contact us for further information, or click here.

Q: I meet the criteria of an Owner-Occupied, Single-Family Residence. Do I have to use an AHERA-certified building inspector for demolition and renovation?

A:  For demolition, yes, for renovation, no. However, you must comply with all other applicable requirements.  Important: Please note that if anyone other than the homeowner will work on the project, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L & I) requires that the asbestos survey be performed by an AHERA certified building inspector. Contact L & I for more information.

Q: How do I determine if a material contains asbestos?

A: You must have it tested by a laboratory. Local labs charge around $25 per sample. You can also send your sample to an accredited lab, with prices varying between $6 - $25, depending upon the turnaround time. A listing of accredited laboratories can be found at http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/210/214/scopes/plmtm.htm.

Q:  Asbestos was found in my home that I plan to have demolished, can I remove the asbestos myself?

A: Yes, however, there are specific work practices and disposal requirements. Please contact The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency for further information.

Q: I have vermiculite insulation in my attic. Should I remove it?

A: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends it be left alone. Avoid using your attic as storage. If you must use your attic, limit the trips to it. Don’t allow children to play in the attic. If you are planning a remodel, never attempt to remove asbestos vermiculite insulation yourself. For more information, visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/asbestos.

Q: When do I have to file a notification with The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency?

A: Anytime you are demolishing a structure. Homeowner renovation (including asbestos removal) projects do not require notification. The survey and survey posting requirements, as well as The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency work practices and disposal regulations still apply.

Contractors

Q: What is an asbestos survey?

A: The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Regulation I, Article IX, Section 9.02 – Definitions: 

Asbestos Survey means a written report resulting from a thorough inspection using the procedures and analysis in EPA regulations (40 CFR 763.85, 40 CFR 763.86 and 40 CFR 763.87), or an alternate asbestos survey method that has received prior written approval from the Control Officer, to determine whether materials or structures to be worked on, renovated, removed, or demolished (including materials on the outside of structures) contain asbestos. In addition to requirements in 40 CFR 763.85, 40 CFR 763.86 & 40 CFR 763.87 asbestos surveys shall contain the approximate quantity and location of each material determined to contain asbestos and a schematic showing the locations where each bulk asbestos sample was taken. The condition and friability of asbestos-containing materials shall also be described in the asbestos survey. Any material presumed or assumed to be asbestos-containing material need not be sampled and tested for asbestos, but materials presumed to be asbestos-containing material shall be identified as such in the asbestos survey.

Q: Who is responsible to have the asbestos survey done?

A: Any person causing or allowing renovation or demolition (e.g. property owners/managers, lessors, tenants, contractors, workers, and other involved parties) pursuant to The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Regulation I, Article IX, Section 9.03.

Q: Do I still need a survey if the building I am working on is only a few years old?

A: Yes. There is no cut-off date when it is safe to assume that asbestos is not present in building materials. If your building was certified to be built asbestos-free, then this certification may be used as supporting documentation by the AHERE building inspector performing the survey. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 9 thousand metric tons of asbestos were used in roofing products in the U.S. as recent as the year 2000.

Q: Can I, the contractor, take samples of materials to a laboratory to determine asbestos content?

A: Only if you are also an AHERA certified asbestos inspector or the occupant of an Owner- Occupied, Single-Family Residence for which work is being done.

Q: Can I treat materials as asbestos-containing, instead of paying to get a survey?

A: If an asbestos survey is not conducted, building materials that will or may be disturbed must be assumed to contain asbestos. Handling asbestos-containing material must be performed by properly trained and certified asbestos workers and supervised by a Washington State certified asbestos supervisor.

In addition to the training and certification requirements, people handling asbestos would be subject to other regulatory requirements, such as hazard communication, medical exams, and other worker protection issues. Check with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for these additional requirements. Although you can assume that materials contain asbestos and follow all asbestos-related requirements, you can never assume building materials do not contain asbestos.