Asbestos
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to develop and enforce regulations to protect the general public from exposure to airborne contaminants that are known to be hazardous to human health. The U.S. EPA established the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) under the authority of Section 112 of the CAA, and asbestos was one of the first hazardous air pollutants regulated. The Asbestos NESHAP was promulgated on April 6, 1973, and it was revised in 1990.
Asbestos was widely used in buildings for fireproofing, thermal and acoustical insulation, condensation control, and decoration. It was sprayed on beams and ceilings, used to cover piping and boilers, and sprayed into ducts. Asbestos was used extensively until the 1970s when the U.S. EPA banned certain applications.
The Asbestos NESHAP protects the public by minimizing the release of asbestos fibers during renovation and demolition activities. Accordingly, this regulation specifies work practices to be followed for demolitions and renovations of all structures, installations, and buildings. Privately-owned residential houses or apartments that have four or fewer dwelling units are excluded. However, if the structures are owned by commercial, industrial, or governmental entities, they may be subject. In addition, the Asbestos NESHAP contains notification requirements for the owner of the building and/or the contractor. Both the owner and contractor(s) are liable for compliance with the Asbestos NESHAP requirements.
The Asbestos NESHAP program is administered by the Technical Programs Unit, Air Quality Division of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Technical Assistance Resources
Understanding the Asbestos NESHAP Fact Sheet (April 2010) - This easy-to-read fact sheet simplifies the federal Clean Air Act requirements that protect the public from the release of asbestos fibers during renovation and demolition activities. The fact sheet explains what specific renovation and demolition activities are regulated under the standard and what the requirements are including: notification, work practice standards, and waste disposal. A must-read for commercial building owners and managers, municipal officials, and contractors. EPA Asbestos NESHAP regulations, in Title 40, Part 61, Subpart M
Other Resources for Asbestos NESHAP Compliance
- Notification Form (Adobe Acrobat) - View
For more information or additional assistance, contact the
Environmental Assistance Program at 800-662-9278
Do you have an outreach idea or suggestion for our Program? Please feel free to submit your requests to: David Fiedler .
