Environmental Program Areas » Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals found in rocks all around the world. Asbestos crystals form long, narrow fibers that are invisible to the naked eye. Asbestos doesn't burn, doesn't conduct electricity and flexible yet strong. Asbestos can be woven into cloth, rope or added to other manufactured goods for strength or fireproofing.
Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is defined by the Federal and State government as any material containing more than 10% of asbestos fibers.
Lead is a heavy, bluish-gray highly toxic metal found in the earth's crust. Because of its abundance, low cost, and physical properties (soft and pliable), lead has been used in a wide variety of products including paint, ceramics, pipes, solders, gasoline, batteries, and cosmetics.
Lead-based paint is defined by the Federal and State government as paint with lead levels greater than or equal to 0.5% by weight.
At USAG-HI, many of our facilities have been surveyed/tested and found to contain Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint. Renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can release harmful fibers or dust into the air, where they can be inhaled, consequently posing serious health hazards to building occupants.
For these reasons, the USAG-HI asbestos and lead-based paint program oversees compliance with safe work practices involving renovation and demolition projects on the installation.
The goal of the program covers three key areas:
EPA has identified the following asbestos product categories:
Disclaimer:This list does not include every product/material that may contain asbestos. It is intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain asbestos. Consult with DPW Environmental before engaging in any demolition or renovation projects.
Lead-based paint is commonly found inside and outside our facilities on painted surfaces, road surface markings, construction products and demolition debris.
Some common materials containing lead-based paint:
Disclaimer: This list does not include every product/material that may contain lead-based paint. It is intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain lead-based paint. Consult with your facility manager or S4 officer before engaging in any demolition or renovation projects.
Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM) is defined as:
• Friable asbestos material
• Category I non-friable ACM that has become friable
• Category I non-friable ACM that will be or has been subjected to sanding, cutting, or abrading
• Category II non-friable ACM that has a high probability of becoming or has become crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder
USAG-HI must notify DOH of all renovation projects which involve the disturbance of friable or RACM meeting or exceeding the minimum of:
• 260 linear feet (80 linear meters) on pipes
•160 square feet (15 square meters) on other facilities components• 35 cubic feet on other facility components
For asbestos and lead-based paint there isn't a permit requirement, but there are notification obligations prior to initiating some renovation activities and for ALL demolition projects.
Per Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) regulations, USAG-HI must notify the Department at least ten working days prior to the start of ANY demolition projects, including demolition of facilities where no asbestos is present. The notification requirement also applies to some renovation projects that will disturb friable or Regulated Asbestos Containing Materials (RACM).
The term "friable" means that the asbestos is easily crumbled by hand, releasing fibers into the air. Asbestos floor tile is non-friable. Asbestos ceiling tile is friable.Notification requirements for projects involving lead-based paint is mostly for work conducted at child care facilities, schools and homes constructed prior to 1978.
To ensure all required surveys and notifications are completed, follow these steps prior to beginning any renovation or demolition projects.
Asbestos and lead based paint are regulated by the HDOH, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). EPA regulates asbestos and lead based paint concerns to minimize building occupantsâ€™ exposure to contaminated dust derived from building materials. Whereas, OSHA regulations address concerns with worker safety during specific tasks dealing with asbestos or lead based paint.
• 29 CFR Part 1910.134, Use of Respirator
• 29 CFR Part 1910.1001, Asbestos, General Industry Standard
• 29 CFR Part 1926.1101 Construction Industry Standards
• 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
• 40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos (Subpart E, F, G), Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan
• AR 200-1 Chapter 9
• AR 420-1 Chapter 5
• HAR 11-501, Asbestos Requirements
• HAR 11-502, Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools
• HAR 11-503, Fees for Asbestos Removal and Certification
• HAR 11-504, Asbestos Abatement Certification Program
• 29 CFR Part 1910.1025, Lead, General Industry Standard
• 29 CFR Part 1926.62 Lead Exposure in Construction
• 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart L, Lead: Requirements for Lead-Based Paint Activities in Target Housing and Child -Occupied Facilities
• AR 200-1 Chapter 9
• AR 420-1 Chapter 5
• HAR 11-41, Lead-Based Paint Activities
» Asbestos Management Plan
» Asbestos, Lead-Based Paint Awareness Slides
» Lead Hazard Management Plan
Asbestos and lead-based paint survey results and records can be found in the Environmental Library - Wheeler Army Airfield Building 105. Data and building locations where the presence of asbestos or lead-based paint materials has been identified is also documented on the DPW Geographic Information System (GIS).
There are four (4) classes of asbestos work and each class has its own requirements. Class I is the most hazardous and Class IV is the least hazardous. All Class I and II asbestos work at USAG-HI is contracted to a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.
Class I asbestos work means activities involving the removal of Thermal System Insulation (TSI) and surfacing Asbestos Containing material (ACM) and Potential Asbestos Containing Material (PACM).
Class II asbestos work means activities involving the removal of ACM which is not thermal system insulation or surfacing material. This includes, but is not limited to, the removal of asbestos-containing wallboard, floor tile and sheeting, roofing and siding shingles, and construction mastics.
Class III asbestos work means repair and maintenance operations, where "ACM", including TSI and surfacing ACM and PACM, is likely to be disturbed.
Class IV asbestos work means maintenance and custodial activities during which employees contact but do not disturb ACM or PACM and activities to clean up dust, waste and debris resulting from Class I, II, and III activities.
Because asbestos can be so hazardous, personnel working with or around asbestos must be trained/certified by an accredited agency. The level of training depends on the role, the class and type of asbestos work a person must perform.
Asbestos workers are broken into several disciplines. Persons in each discipline perform a different job function and distinct role. Each accredited discipline and training curriculum is separate from the others.
EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.
Individuals can become certified renovators by taking an eight-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider.
Select "Training" from the tool bar menu to read more about asbestos and lead-based paint training required for all personnel who are involved in various type of asbestos and lead-based paint work.
Sources of information come from the EPA
» When is asbestos dangerous?
» Health effects of asbestos exposure
» How to avoid asbestos exposure
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