Asbestos and Lead Management FAQ

Questions About Asbestos and Lead Management

Asbestos Containing Materials

Who can take bulk samples of suspected asbestos materials in my facility?
Anyone who disturbs asbestos containing materials or assesses the condition must be trained and certified as an Asbestos Building Inspector. There are other specific licenses required in the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and other cities and states.

We have asbestos containing floor tiles in our facility. Am I being exposed to asbestos?
Asbestos containing floor tiles are usually nonfriable and present no hazard to building occupants unless the tiles are damaged, sanded or abraded. Tiles floors should have a good coat of wax to prevent buffing pads from being in direct contact with the tiles. Stripping of floors should be done using wet methods to prevent the release of fibers. Employees who maintain asbestos flooring systems should be trained to the awareness level regarding the hazards of asbestos, and the procedures for maintaining asbestos floors.

Is training required for maintenance and engineering staff?
Employees who may have contact with asbestos materials but will not intentionally disturb the materials should receive Asbestos Awareness Training. The training should include recognition of asbestos containing materials, hazards of asbestos exposures, and procedures to follow if damaged asbestos materials are encountered.

If asbestos is being removed, how do I know if I am being exposed to asbestos fibers?
Asbestos removal can only be conducted inside a 'regulated area'. The regulated area is sealed with polyethylene sheets sealed with tape. Caution signs are placed at the entrances to warn people that asbestos fibers may be released inside the containment. HVAC systems are sealed to prevent dispersal of fibers throughout the building. 1Source will monitor asbestos removal projects and conduct visual inspections and air sampling to verify that asbestos fibers are not released from the regulated area.

What do I do if there are asbestos materials in a construction project I am managing?
If asbestos materials may be disturbed during renovation activities, the asbestos materials must be removed. 1Source will work with you and the project architect or engineer to define the scope of work for asbestos removal, develop removal specifications, and help select qualified and licensed contractors.

Should asbestos materials be labeled?
The OSHA asbestos standard requires that entrances to mechanical rooms be posted with the type of asbestos present, and the identity of the asbestos coordinator or the procedures to follow if damaged asbestos is encountered. The standards also require that for hazard communication, installed asbestos materials should be labeled, if feasible.

Can 1Source collect asbestos air samples and analyze the samples in an on-site laboratory?
Yes, our field staff and project managers are trained to collect and analyze samples following NIOSH methods. Field analysts participate in our in-house quality assurance program, and are approved by the AIHA Asbestos Analysts Registry.

How will lead based paint affect a renovation project?
Lead based paint may be present on structural steel, concrete block walls, wood windows, wood trim, plaster and sheetrock walls and other building materials. Building components may be demolished with intact paint adhered to the surfaces, but the contractor must take precautions to protect the workers and prevent dispersion of dust. Loose and peeling paint should be removed and disposed of as lead waste. If lead paint is on structural steel, the paint must be removed before the steel is cut by torching or welding. Lead based paint should not be dry sanded or abraded. Surface preparation for repainting should be done under controlled conditions. 1Source can prepare specifications for the control of lead dust during renovations and demolitions.

Why is lead based paint a hazard?
Lead dust can be absorbed into the body via inhalation and ingestion. If lead accumulates in the body, it can damage the liver, kidneys, blood-forming organs, nervous system and reproductive systems. In housing, lead presents a hazard for children who may ingest lead dust and/or paint chips. If children ingest lead during early stages of development, their mental development may be impaired or mental retardation may occur.

How do I determine if lead paint is present in my facility?
A survey can be done by 1Source using an XRF survey instrument or one of our Inspector/Risk Assessors can take bulk samples of representative paint. Typically, each color of paint, and each type of substrate is sampled separately. Surfaces that may be coated with lead based paint include but are not limited to: structural steel, exterior siding, interior wood trim, door and window frames, metal staircases, plaster, concrete block, and sheetrock walls. Older facilities are more likely to have lead based paint on various building systems.

How do I know if lead paint dust has been cleaned properly?
The contractor should use a combination of wet cleaning with TSP or other appropriate detergent and HEPA vacuuming. At the conclusion of the project, 1Source will collect wipe samples to measure the concentration of lead on various surfaces, and air samples to measure the concentration of lead in the air. The results are compared to industry standards or HUD guidelines to assess whether additional cleaning is required.