More About the Alternative Asbestos Control Method

Our Team

Adele Cardenas Malott
Project Manager, Dallas
Roger Wilmoth
Project Manager, Cincinnati

Reviewers

View the list of reviewers participating in the workshop

National Resources

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Pilot Project #1
Pilot Project #2
Pilot Project #3

What is the Alternative Asbestos Control Method?

Two years ago, EPA’s Office of Research and Development and EPA Region 6 designed new asbestos cleanup procedures known as the Alternative Asbestos Control Method. The procedure was designed to perform as well as, if not better than, current asbestos control methods.

As with the current asbestos demolition standard, the Alternative Asbestos Control Method requires that friable (easily airborne) asbestos containing products such as insulation and pipe wrapping be removed before demolition. However, unlike the current demolition method, the Alternative Asbestos Control Method allows non-friable asbestos-containing products, such as wallboard or joint compound, to remain inside a structure during demolition as long as additional precautions are taken. These precautions include: application of amended water to control airborne releases of asbestos during demolition, earthen berms to contain used amended water, treatment of used amended water, removal of soil and disposal of all construction debris at a certified asbestos landfill.

How is the Alternative Asbestos Control Method being tested?

EPA has carried out three pilot asbestos cleanup projects to test whether the Alternative Asbestos Control Method can reliably meet the existing “no visible emissions during demolition” standard.

EPA conducted the first pilot project in a secure location at Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, near Fort Smith, Arkansas and completed the project in April 2006. Pilot project #1 provided a side-by-side scientific comparison of the current asbestos removal procedures and the Alternative Asbestos Control Method. EPA conducted the second pilot project at Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority in July 2007 and the third pilot project in Fort Worth, Texas in December 2007.

An independent panel of experts will review all the pilot projects and EPA will provide an opportunity for public comment as part of the independent peer review process. Click here for more information on the peer review process and public involvement, and to offer comments.

Are there any results of the Alternative Asbestos Control Method testing yet?

Yes. In January 2008, EPA’s Office of Research and Development released the final report on the results of Pilot Project #1 titled “Comparison of the Alternative Asbestos Control Method and the National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants Method for Asbestos-Containing Buildings" (PDF) (229 pp, 6.98 MB, About PDF).

Preliminary findings from Pilot Project #1 show the Alternative Asbestos Control Method procedures can meet the current standard of “no visible emissions” during demolition. The added cost of these measures, including using ‘amended water’ and certified debris disposal was not prohibitive. The Fort Chaffee Project #1 experiment was somewhat more protective than the current asbestos demolition practices. For example, air monitoring data collected from workers demonstrated lower than expected levels of asbestos and, therefore, reduced potential exposure to workers.

For more information about the Alternate Asbestos Control Method pilot research projects:

EPA will publish reports on Pilot Projects #2 and #3 in summer 2008, after completion of the independent peer review and associated public comment. Click here for more information on the peer review process and public involvement, and to offer comments. Information for asbestos trainers and contractors is available here.