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[deleted] OP t1_j38z28e wrote

Reply to comment by DeftApproximation in Asbestos in schools? by [deleted]

[deleted]

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DeftApproximation t1_j391890 wrote

AHERA? Off the top of my head, I don’t know the requirements but I know the information is found buried somewhere at the EPA.

From my limited knowledge, it’s documenting where the “hot material” is and having an execution plan for removal or repairs to it. As a contractor, my company is usually the one managing the final steps of whatever that plan is; my specialty is MEP Systems with a focus on Renovations.

For the decay part, I generally lean toward the “No, it’s not an immediate concern.” Asbestos is a fiber, not a gas, and is harmful when inhaled. So it’s not like an “off-gas” or “radioactive material”. If it goes airborne, typically is can hang around for 2-3 days, which is why you have specialized companies to dispose of it safely.

A similar situation is lead paint. Off hand touching lead paint is not a problem. But when it starts to deteriorate, that’s when you’ve got an issue.

www.epa.gov

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DeftApproximation t1_j392k9q wrote

As a side note;

I’m a contractor and I like replacing/rebuilding things instead of putting bandaids on problems. However that is often a discussion that is tied to money, so I don’t envy anyone that has to make evaluations like this.

Turns out, behind the scenes, things are really complicated and often not a simple “fix it” situation.

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[deleted] OP t1_j396s2o wrote

[deleted]

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DeftApproximation t1_j398yn4 wrote

Asbestos in the dust? Meaning the base material is deteriorating and falling away on its own?

Referring back to my lead paint comparison, it’s not harmful on its own, but if the host material is deteriorate then you got a problem. (Materials deteriorate from a number of factors. It’s New England so my assumption is humidity and temperature swings)

Now we’re talking. Hell yea; that’s an issue if the ceilings are falling apart and needs to be addressed. At the very least it’s probably worth the money to get that stuff retested and evaluated by a consultant. Get ahead of the problem before you end up with an investigation on your hands.

I wouldn’t toss a drop ceiling at it to cover it up. If the hot material is deteriorating, it’ll just build up on the ceiling tiles and when a tile gets moved, you inhale a boatload of asbestos.

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[deleted] OP t1_j39twgj wrote

[deleted]

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DeftApproximation t1_j3a1el4 wrote

Being old material isn’t always a given for deterioration. You can have stone walls or concrete decks and show zero signs of degradation over 100 years. Usually the biggest factor to degradation is exposure to the elements like temperature changes, humidity changes, etc.

If there is any asbestos in the materials your working with/around, you need a licensed professional to handle it. Having unlicensed people work around knowingly “hot material” is immediate grounds for a lawsuit, so don’t let parents try to solve it themselves.

If the ceilings are visibly deteriorating or flaking away with minimal effort, it’s probably best to hire a testing firm to reevaluate the status of the hot material and advise/recommend furthers steps.

As a reminder: the presence of asbestos in a building is not a problem. When it gets loose and airborne, that’s when you have an issue.

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