Asbestos is the name given to a group of fibrous minerals that has been used since the Roman era, when it was first woven into cloth. It became a popular commercial and building material in the 1930s, expanding into more and more products until the 1970s. The connection has been made between exposure to asbestos materials and serious diseases and the use of it is slowly being phased out in this country. There are many asbestos-containing products still in our buildings and homes, and identifying and properly removing them is a difficult and highly regulated enterprise.

K-D Associates, Inc. offers comprehensive services in the evaluation, management and removal of asbestos containing materials. We provide building inspections, risk assessments, abatement project design and management, air monitoring and in-house laboratory analysis. We can travel to your site for an inspection and building survey, or, if you prefer, you can contact us regarding sending a sample for analysis.

All members of our staff are fully trained and licensed at the state and federal EPA levels. We are certified as Inspectors, Management Planners, Designers, Supervisors, Air Monitors and Analysts. We have been a leader in the asbestos business since 1988 and we have earned the respect of the state and federal agencies who regulate and supervise hazardous materials. We work to reach or exceed the strict state and federal regulations and to maintain excellent professional relationships with all regulators.

Our in-house lab has consistently received the highest rating possible from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Proficiency Analytical Test (PAT) program as well as other Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Programs. Having an in-house lab for asbestos testing gives our clients the added advantages of quick turn-around times, excellent quality control, and cost effective testing. We also maintain an excellent relationship with a small network of other respected, quality-oriented, scientific laboratories which offer comprehensive analytical services in hazardous materials, asbestos, lead, air, wastewater, water resources, soil, industrial hygiene, ground water, radon.

Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral compound composed of expanded, shiny flakes that are primarily used as an attic insulator and as a soil amendment. Historically, much of the world's supply of vermiculite came from a mine near Libby, Montana that also had a natural deposit of asbestos as a contaminant to the vermiculite ore.

The majority of all vermiculite insulation produced before 1990 used contaminated vermiculite from Libby under the brand name Zonolite. Asbestos fibers in vermiculite are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Only a trained technician using a microscope can see asbestos fibers. However, due to limitations in the analytical methods even trained technicians cannot always determine if all vermiculite contains asbestos. Therefore, the EPA suggests that you should assume that all vermiculite insulation may be contaminated with asbestos and make every effort not to disturb the insulation.

If the material must be disturbed or removed, contact KDAI to provide trained personnel to remove the insulation using the techniques as a standard asbestos abatement project, thus preventing asbestos fibers from escaping the attic into the rest of the house.

The EPA has published a guide entitled Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation, available here in PDF format: Vermiculite Attic Insulation

Asbestos testing and abatement is regulated by the state health departments and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). While homeowners may remove asbestos from their own home under certain circumstances, many choose to hire professionals because of the complexity and the uncomfortable nature of the process. With some exceptions, a general contractor or builder must be properly trained and have appropriate personal protection and be certified to remove asbestos materials as part of a demolition or remodeling project in a private residence. In most cases, homeowners, schools, hospitals, public and commercial buildings will hire professional, certified abatement contractors. As a reference to homeowners, a series of booklets published by the Vermont Department of Health, describe the proper procedures and safety guidelines for handling asbestos. Homeowners should keep in mind that these guidelines do not necessarily reflect the requirement of the EPA, OSHA, and other states. See Info for Homeowners

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ASBESTOS:

1. What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals. The three most common types of asbestos are: a) chrysotile b) amosite c) crocidolite

Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building materials. Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them resistant to heat. Asbestos is often found in ceiling tiles, pipe and vessel insulation, blown on to structural beams and ceilings, in floor tile, linoleum and mastic.

2. Why is asbestos a hazard?

Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when distributed. These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause significant health problems. Researchers still have not determined a "safe level" of exposure but we know the greater and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos related disease. Some of these health problems include:

a) Asbestosis - a lung disease first found in navel shipyard workers. As asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become trapped in the lung tissue. The body tries to dissolve the fibers by producing an acid. This acid, due to the chemical resistance of the fiber, does little to damage the fiber, but may scar the surrounding tissue. Eventually, this scarring may become so severe that the lungs cannot function. The latency period ( meaning the time it takes for the disease to become developed) is often 25-40 years.

b) Mesothelioma - a cancer of the pleura ( the outer lining of the lung) and/ or the peritoneum ( the lining of the abdominal wall). This form of cancer is peculiar because the only known cause is from asbestos exposure. The latency period for mesothelioma is often 15-30 years.

c) Cancer - caused by asbestos. The effects of lung cancer are often greatly increased by cigarette smoking ( by about 50%). Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract can also be caused by asbestos. The latency period for cancer is often 15-30 years.

Despite the common misconception, asbestos does not cause head-aches, sore muscles or other immediate symptoms. As mentioned above, the effects often go unnoticed for 15-40 years.

3. When is asbestos a hazard?

Asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good condition, it may be acceptable to leave it alone and periodic surveillance performed to monitor it’s condition. It’s only when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or the materials become damaged that it becomes a hazard. When the materials become damaged, the fibers separate and may then become airborne. In the asbestos industry, the term " friable" is used to describe asbestos that can be reduced to dust by hand pressure. " Non-friable" means asbestos that is too hard to be reduced to dust by hand. Non-friable materials, such as transite siding and floor tiles are exempt from certain portions of state regulations, provided it does not become friable. Machine grinding, sanding and dry-buffing are ways of causing non-friable materials to become friable.

4. How are asbestos containing materials maintained?

Friable asbestos can be maintained in place utilizing several techniques. Encapsulation involves applying a thick layer of an encapsulant, much like latex paint, that binds the surface of the material together and prevents the release of fibers, however this usually is not enough of a coating to protect against damage. When damage is likely to occur, removal may be the best option.

5. When is it necessary to remove asbestos containing materials?

There is no law that says asbestos has to be removed. It is only when the material can no longer be maintained in good condition and /or the airborne concentrations of asbestos are measured to be too high, or when the building is to be demolished or renovated, that removal may become the only option.

In these instances, asbestos may only be removed by Licensed Asbestos Abatement Contractors, utilizing Licensed Workers and Supervisors. These requirements do not necessarily apply to private residences.

6. When is it required to have a building inspection or survey?

There are now state and federal regulations that require all material that has not been tested to be presumed to contain asbestos. Only inspection and sampling may rebut the required presumption.

Any building owner who is renovating or demolishing a building is required by federal law to have their buildings surveyed for asbestos containing materials. Buildings are not permitted to be demolished if there is asbestos present. Also, public and private schools, K-12, are required by AHERA, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, to be inspected and have a management plan prepared, which is to be maintained and available for public inspection.

7. How is asbestos removed?

When removal is conducted, a licensed contractor must notify the appropriate regulatory agency ten days in advance of removal. Some projects, are required to have a project design that details how the contractor will perform the removal.

Upon approval from the appropriate regulatory agency, workers construct a containment, sealing all possible entries and exits to prevent air from escaping from the containment. Containments are maintained under negative pressure and the air is exhausted through special filters that make sure the air exhausted is safe. A decontamination unit is built on to the containment, where workers change into disposable suits and respirators upon entering, and shower before exiting the work area, so as not to contaminate the area around the containment by tracking out asbestos on their clothes or body. Next, the contractor wets down the material, which helps reduce the airborne fiber count. As the material is wetted, it is scraped from the surfaces and collected in specially labeled disposal bags. When a bag is full, it is sealed well, wiped down and placed into a second bag, which is also sealed. The bags are placed in a load-out chamber to await transfer to a specially lined waste trailer. When all the visible material is removed and bagged, the bags are loaded out to the waste trailer.

At this point, the contractor must have a qualified consultant perform a visual inspection and air test, to ensure that the area is safe to reoccupy. After the clearance monitoring is conducted and the air counts are within the accepted levels, only then is the containment removed.

Other abatement techniques, such as removal of pipe insulation via a glove-bag or a mini-containment, are also conducted following procedures outlined by the appropriate regulatory agencies

8. Where does asbestos go after it is removed?

After removal, the sealed bags are transported by a licensed, insured, abatement contractor or a licensed asbestos hauler, to an EPA Approved Landfill, where it is buried. Disposal manifests are generally required to ensure the waste arrived at the landfill for appropriate disposal. Under the authority of the EPA, there is a list of landfills approved to take asbestos containing waste.

9. How can I tell if I have Asbestos in my Building?

The only way to tell if a building material contains asbestos is to have a representative piece(s) analyzed. You can send a licensed inspector to take bulk samples to the laboratory, where they are analyzed under the microscope to determine the content. Both state and federal regulations require building owners to presume that any suspect material is asbestos until a laboratory analysis is conducted. Any material that contains less than one percent asbestos is considered non-regulated. In some cases, it is possible for you to send us a small sample for analysis. Please contact us for details.

10. Who do I call if I have a concern?

You can contact K-D Associates, Inc. or your appropriate state regulatory agency.

CONTACT US AT (802) 862-7490
or (800) 639-2035
fax: (802) 660-2462
email: kdai@kdassociatesinc.com



LABORATORY

Having an in-house lab for asbestos testing gives our clients the added advantages of quick turn-around times, excellent quality control, and cost effective testing. We also maintain an excellent relationship with a small network of other respected, quality-oriented, scientific laboratories which offer comprehensive analytical services in hazardous materials, asbestos, lead, air, wastewater, water resources, soil, industrial hygiene, ground water, radon.

As a reference to homeowners, the EPA has published consumer's information about radon; the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development has published a Lead Paint Safety Guide, and a series of booklets published by the Vermont Department of Health, describe the proper procedures and safety guidelines for handling asbestos. Homeowners should keep in mind that these guidelines do not necessarily reflect the requirements of the EPA, OSHA and other states for homeowners. See Info for Homeowners

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