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What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the generic name for a series of six naturally occurring minerals; actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocicolite, and tremolite. These are mined products which may be processed. To be considered asbestos the material in question must have both the right chemical and crystalline structures. These crystals are unusually long and thin.
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For the purpose of identification, what is considered asbestos containing material?
The definition of asbestos-containing material has been changed to materials containing more than 1% asbestos by area as determined by Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). Point counting must be done if less than 10% as done by PLM unless the material in question is assumed to be asbestos containing material.
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What are health effects associated with asbestos?
There are two main health effects associated with asbestos exposure. The first is a fibrosing disease of lungs,called asbestosis, which has been associated with high and prolonged exposures to asbestos. The second concern is the development of cancers, both lung and mesothelial, as asbestos is a known carcinogen.
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Does it cause asthma, allergies, or bronchitis?
Asbestos exposure in homes and buildings is not associated with non cancer breathing difficulties, such as asthma, allergies, or bronchitis.
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Should all asbestos be considered a health hazard?
Although the use of asbestos containing materials should be avoided if at all possible, a product containing asbestos is not, of itself, a health hazard. Health concerns have almost exclusively been associated with the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Therefore, exposure risks for asbestos concern situations where the mineral fibers may be airborne. This occurs when friable asbestos is damaged or loose, or when non-friable asbestos products are crushed such as during construction or demolition. Friable means the product can be crushed easily by hand. Examples of friable asbestos are insulation and soft sound board. Examples of nonfriable asbestos are flooring tiles, tile mastics, siding tiles, and roofing asphalts. Siding tiles are a good example of a material that can easily become friable.
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Are items containing asbestos still being made?
Yes. In addition, many old products still exist in basements and attics.
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Can you tell if something contains asbestos by looking at it?
No. Simple test is available to reliably determine if a product contains asbestos. Asbestos, of itself, has no characteristic odor or taste. Asbestos materials will vary in color and texture; a sample must be obtained and subjected to a laboratory test.
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Should I remove the asbestos from my home?
Nonfriable asbestos left undisturbed does not necessarily pose a problem. Removal of all asbestos containing materials in a residence or public building is not always the best response. These decisions are best made in consultation with a certified asbestos contractor.
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Can I remove asbestos from my home?
In Wisconsin, homeowners can legally remove asbestos materials themselves from their own homes. This is not recommended. Improperly removed asbestos may create more of a health hazard in the home than had nothing been done at all. Wisconsin residents are still required to abide by DNR disposal rules.
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Are private home owners exempt from DNR rules concerning asbestos removal?
A single, isolated residential dwelling unit or structure with 4 or fewer dwelling units is exempt, regardless of ownership or the intended use of the property ( fire burns of these structures nullifies the exemption ). This exemption does not apply if more than one structure is involved, or where a single structure is part of a larger project involving non-residential buildings or as part of a large planned demolition project, such as urban renewal. Check with your local DNR office for clarification on any asbestos removal process.
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Do commercial business have to abide by any removal requirements?
Yes. Any property that is commercial property, was commercial property at one time, or is being renovated or demolished for the purposes of a commercial venture is subject to the rule and therefore must fully comply with NR447 regulations. A preinspection must be completed and notification filed with the DNR at least 10 buisness days prior to the project. A fee may apply depending on the results of the pre-inspection.
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Can I clean up asbestos with a shop vac?
Household and shop vacuum cleaners are not recommended for cleanups as they will scatter the asbestos fibers throughout the house, making the situation worse. Please check for asbestos before taking on any home renovation job on an older home. Some plasters contain asbestos. The Health Department has purchased a HEPA vacuum designed for asbestos fiber removal. You may borrow this vacuum if approved by Environmental Health personnel.
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Who regulates asbestos in Wisconsin?
Removal of asbestos containing material is regulated by the Department of Health and Family Services Division of Health and the Department of Natural Resources Air Management Program.
The Division of Health administers training and certification programs for inspectors and contractors performing asbestos removal. Detailed information about these requirements can be gotten by contacting the DNR at (608)267-0928.
Air Management Program regulates friable asbestos and category I and II nonfriable asbestos if it becomes friable.
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What is non-friable asbestos?
Category I non- friable asbestos is packing gaskets, resilient floor covering and asphalt roofing containing asbestos that cannot be crumbled to powder by hand pressure. Category I is pliable and not brittle. It breaks by tearing rather that fracturing and doesn’t readily release asbestos fibers upon breaking.
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What about transporting asbestos?
Solid Waste Program regulates the transport and disposal of solid waste including demolition material and any asbestos containing material for disposal. Contact the DNR for further information at (608) 267-0557. There is no special waste requirements at this time for waste haulers hauling asbestos. They just are required to have a solid waste hauler designation assigned by the state.
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What are the removal and packing requirements for Friable, Category I and Category II asbestos in NR447?
Friable asbestos containing material must always be removed before demolition or fire burn, wetted, and placed immediately into leak tight containers or bags.
Category II asbestos containing materials must usually be removed before demolition, wetted as needed to prevent dusting and placed in covered containers.
Category I asbestos containing materials must be removed before building demolition and if the asbestos material has or will become friable. Category II material must also be removed prior to training burns.
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What are the notification requirements?
Notifications must be made to the Air Management Program for all building demolitions (see commercial rules), whether or not any asbestos containing material is present and for all required asbestos removals of at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet. Notice is to be made at least 10 days prior to demolition or removal is to occur.
Fees submitted with the permit will be $50.00 if the project involves the removal of less that 260 lineal feet or less than 160 square feet of regulated containing material. Removal is not required, but the resulting demolition wastes must be handled as asbestos containing material and disposed of at an approved landfill.
Fees submitted with the permit will be $150.00 if the project involves the removal of at least 260 lineal feet or at least 160 square feet of regulated asbestos containing material and a combined lineal and square footage of less than 1000. For asphalt roofing removed with a roofing saw 5580-34875 square feet requires submittal of the fee.
Fees submitted with the permit will be $325.00 If the project involves the removal of a regulated asbestos containing material with a combined lineal and square footage of equal or greater than 1000. For asphalt roofing removed with a roofing saw, greater than 34875 square feet.
There is a 10 working day notice to the Department requirement prior to any regulated asbestos abatement project. Category I and II nonfriable asbestos materials are included if they are already friable or the removal technique will make them friable. Be careful, the DNR Inspector will check to be sure that the material has not become friable during your project.
There is a 10 working day notice to the Department requirement for all fire train burns as well. All friable and nonfriable asbestos must be removed prior to the commencement of the practice burn. I encourage fire departments to schedule the fire burn at least 2 weeks later incase the DNR Inspector finds suspect material that was not identified during the pre-inpsection. It is also advisiable that fire departments use very repitable inspectors. If suspect material is found by the DNR Inspector, the fire burn will be put off until the assumed material is properly removed or the sample is found to be negative.
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What are the transportation requirements?
Transportation of all solid waste must made be by a licenced solid waste transporter. No other transport license is required for asbestos in Wisconsin . Asbestos can only be transported to proper disposal locations. All must be transported to prevent any visible emissions of dust from the load. If friable, it must be wetted and bagged or drummed prior to transport. Category II nonfriable asbestos may be transported in bulk containers, but must be wetted as needed to control dust and containers should be covered to prevent spilling and dusting.
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What are the disposal requirements?
Category I non-construction non-friable asbestos containing material, all friable material, and all category II non-friable asbestos containing material must be disposed of at an approved landfill engineered with a liner and leachate collection and approved by the DNR to accept asbestos waste. Homeowners should contact the landfill prior to bringing the waste to the site. They cannot dispose of asbestos with their regular garbage.
Category I construction nonfriable asbestos containing material may be disposed of at an approved construction and demolition landfill including an approved one time disposal landfill, or at any other landfill with a plan of operation approved by the DNR.
Burning is prohibited for all types of asbestos containing material.
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Who do I contact if I have a question?
You can contact the DNR Northeast Regional Office at 1125 N. Military Ave., Green Bay, Wisconsin 54307, or by phone at (920)492-5882. You may also contact me at any of the consortium Health Department Offices.
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Where can I get Asbestos Related Forms?
Right Here!
Certificate of Service
Chain of Custody
Elements of an Asbestos Offense
Enforcement Request Form
Guidelines for Asbestos Authority
Inspection Authority
Wisconsin State Lab Sampling Form
2003 Inspection Form
Inspection Form Completion Instructions
Asbestos Notification Form for Renovations/Demolitions
Instructions for Completing the Notification Form
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ASBESTOS FACT SHEET
Asbestos Fact Sheet.
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