Home of Logan City Enviromental

Asbestos

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Asbestos is a name given to a number of naturally occurring mineral fibers. Asbestos is a popular choice for manufactured goods because of its known properties of strength, resistance to fire, heat, and chemicals, and electrical insulation. Asbestos has known toxicity and should be handled with care. Because of this known toxicity, asbestos has been banned in many countries. On July 12, 1989, USEPA banned most asbestos-containing products. In 1991, this regulation was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, allowing uses established prior to 1989. The regulation continues to ban the use of asbestos in products that have not historically contained asbestos, otherwise referred to as "new uses" of asbestos. If you plan on remodeling or renovating any structure, you may be subject to State and/or Federal regulations requiring inspection for asbestos. Call Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) at 801-536-4000. Click here for appropriate forms.

Where Can Asbestos be Found? (EPA 2009, click here for the reference)

asbestos-cement corrugated sheet	asbestos-cement flat sheet	asbestos-cement pipe	asbestos-cement shingle
roof coatings	flooring felt	pipeline wrap	roofing felt
asbestos clothing	non-roof coatings	vinyl/asbestos floor tile	automatic transmission components
clutch facings	disc brake pads	drum brake linings	brake blocks
commercial and industrial asbestos friction products	sheet and beater-add gaskets (except specialty industrial)	commercial, corrugated and specialty paper	millboard
rollboard

Where Can I Find Asbestos And When Can It Be A Problem? (EPA 2009, click here for the reference & more great information)

"Most products made today do not contain asbestos. Those few products made which still contain asbestos that could be inhaled are required to be labeled as such. However, until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. Common products that might have contained asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibers, include:

STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly.
RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING, and ADHESIVES used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER used as insulation around furnaces and woodburning stoves. Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling or sawing insulation.
DOOR GASKETS in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use.
SOUNDPROOFING OR DECORATIVE MATERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling or scraping the material.
PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed, drilled or cut.
ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household products such as FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS, and certain HAIRDRYERS.
AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS AND LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS."

KNOWN HEALTH CONCERNS

The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses which include: malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis (also called pneumoconiosis). Friability in asbestos means that it is susceptible to be airborne. When asbestos is found to be in a state in which it is non- friable and unlikely to become friable, the present trend is to leave it alone. Sometimes removal of non-friable asbestos from buildings can increase rather than decrease the chances for exposure to friable asbestos. If it is found to be friable (crumbling and powdery, or of a type that by its very nature is likely to become airborne), removal is frequently the only answer. If you have asbestos in your house, a certified specialist can remove it for you. Click here for a list of certified specialists in Utah.

PROPER DISPOSAL

For Homeowners:

All friable asbestos materials must be brought to an approved dumping area, such as the Logan Landfill for proper disposal. You are not required to hire a certified asbestos removal contractor, however, removing it yourself is strongly NOT recommended as the health risks associated with asbestos are great. The Utah Department of Air Quality (UDEQ) has information on how to properly remove asbestos yourself. Click here for asbestos removal information. The asbestos waste needs to be in a leak-proof airtight container (or for homeowners, at least double bagged) with a label indicating whom, what and where the materials came from. The Logan Landfill needs 24 hours notice for the incoming materials.

For Contractors, Businesses & Rentals Properties:

Asbestos containing materials that are regulated or that may become regulated must be removed by a certified asbestos removal contractor to an approved dumping area, such as the Logan Landfill for proper disposal. Regulations require that all friable asbestos materials be placed in a leak-proof airtight container and labeled as to whom, what and where the materials came from. The Logan Landfill needs 24 hours notice for the incoming materials.

Click here for information from UDEQ.

COSTS

There is a cost of $500/ ton for disposal of asbestos materials plus a $17.50/ton special handling fee. Please notify the Logan Landfill 24 hours prior to disposal. The Landfill Scalehouse phone number is 750-9981.

ASBESTOS QUESTIONS

Logan Landfill Scalehouse- 435-750-9981

John Christensen: Logan Landfill Manager- 435-716-9791

Warren Hullinger: Solid Waste Crew Chief - 435-713-6686

UDEQ General Asbestos Question & certifications- 801-536-4000

Announcements