How is the deadly asbestos disposed of?

Asbestos at work site?

• I am working in an old factory refinishing wood floors. The contractor recently took out asbestos tiles. I really did not know alot about asbestos untill recently. They had a couple workers chip it out (by hand and automated) It was very dusty and smelly in the whole area. They sweeped it all up and disposed of it. You could hardly see through the dust and everyone had to go through it to get down the hall. No one had warned anybody and no precautions were taken. I now am sanding rooms that (i was just told) had asbestos tile in them. I am sanding the felt and glue that is left. I told my boss about the asbestos and he said my normal respirator is fine and that is all i need. I am very concerned about the amount of asbestos I am taking in. Is the contractor responsible for anything and is my boss. What can I do or what should I do. Any help would be greatly apreciated asap

• Answer:

  While all states may differ in their laws concerning asbestos, most laws are similar in how asbestos should be removed. Here is a section from New Hampshire concerning asbestos removal. As you will see, removal must be done by a licensed asbestos contractor unless done in a home by the homeowner. It would seem that your employer could have violated a statute concerning the removal. This section also lists the type of respirator that should be used around asbestos. If you aren't using that type of respirator, there is probably another violation of statutes (OSHA). If you are in a union, then you may want to contact your representative and see if they need to intervene. If you are not in a union, then you may need to place a call to the local OSHA office to insure your company complies with safety standards. Asbestos kills and the threat should not be taken lightly. Good luck to you and here is the statute from New Hampshire. "Removal Removal of nonregulated asbestos materials can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors so long as each does not violate the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations (Refer to 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M) and the work complies with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations delineated in 29 CFR 1926.1101. The State of New Hampshire requires the removal of asbestos prior to any demolition work (Refer to the N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Part Env-A 1805.09). During demolition, problems with friable material are most often caused by fiber release resulting in a violation of the NESHAP regulations. Problems with nonfriable asbestos are most often associated with a breakup of materials which may contaminate the surrounding materials making it necessary to treat all demolition debris as contaminated material. Although the health risk involved in handling nonfriable, non regulated asbestos material is small, the removal of nonregulated material should be done in a manner that will minimize the release of fibers due to breakage. In recognition of the fact that some breakage will occur during any removal job, the State recommends that one wear asbestos related safety equipment including a disposable tyvek suit, gloves, and must be medically able to wear a half mask respirator with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, and adhere to the principles of wet removal and "no visible emissions". With one exception, the removal of RACM in workplaces, schools, public facilities, and dwellings must be done by licensed asbestos abatement contractors after notifying the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES). The one exception is an individual homeowner, with no tenants, doing removal work at his/her own residence. This type of removal, if undertaken by the homeowner, should be done only after thorough preparation from an informational, educational, and equipment perspective. A listing of licensed asbestos contractors can be obtained by contacting the Department of Health and Human Services at 603-271-4609. Indoor asbestos removal methodology is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division, (603-271-1370), while the outdoor methodology is administered by the Waste Management Division (603-271-2925)."