Environmental Health and Safety

ASBESTOS – WHAT IS IT?

Asbestos is a generic term for a group of minerals known for their strength, flame and heat resistance, and seemingly indestructible qualities.

Once considered a “miracle mineral,” asbestos was used for many years in building construction. It can be found in many forms and places. Asbestos was used in boiler and pipe insulation, plasters, floor tile, electrical insulation, and as a fireproofing material on structural members in buildings. It has also been sprayed on ceilings and walls as acoustic insulation.

Because of its indestructible qualities, asbestos is harmful to the human body. The body cannot digest, break down, or change asbestos; it can only attempt to encapsulate it with scar tissue.

Several types of asbestos were banned by the EPA in the mid-70’s due to concern over the health effects (especially cancer) associated with exposure to such materials. It is important to remember that asbestos generally has been found to be hazardous to humans when it is inhaled into the lungs.

Asbestos occurs naturally as a fiber; individual fibers are so small they are invisible to the naked eye. Most asbestos is not hazardous in its original, undisturbed state; only when it is disturbed or pulverized does it release asbestos fibers.

Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not occur soon after exposure. Those who are sick today because of asbestos may have been exposed 20 to 40 years ago. Controlling exposures now will prevent disease and suffering decades later.

The Environmental health and Safety Officer (EHSO) is responsible for coordinating asbestos removal projects at LaGuardia Community College. Asbestos is removed only when required for renovation, remodeling or maintenance. This usually involves repairing plumbing, removing floor tiles or anything else that contains asbestos in some areas on our college property. It is the responsibility of campus maintenance personnel, facilities planning and design personnel or contractors to coordinate with EHSO for inspection and/or removal of asbestos

Not every pipe and floor tile contains asbestos material, but whether it does or not cannot be determined by the naked eye. Samples of the suspect material collected by licensed consultants are analyzed under a microscope by a certified and independent laboratory. Every sample is considered positive until proven otherwise by a lab analysis. EHSO selects the vendors to provide the asbestos abatement work and to conduct the independent third party monitoring of the projects on behalf of the College. In order to avoid a conflict of interest, and to ensure the contractor adheres to all applicable rules and regulations, the abatement work and the monitoring are done by two different vendors who are not associated with each other.

All abatement and removal is conducted according to rules and regulations set forth by the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL), unless otherwise required by a higher governing agency. The rules of the NYS DOL for asbestos removal can be accessed at: New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Rules and Regulations

Emergency removal is conducted when asbestos has been accidentally disturbed. Every effort is made to return the affected area to its normal occupancy as soon as possible.

Abatement is done inside enclosures to prevent the fibers from spreading. Air handling units serving the affected area are turned off until the work is completed to keep the fibers from spreading to other areas. To prevent any attached fibers from getting into the surrounding air, the work area is always kept under negative air pressure as required by the rules. During the work, only authorized personnel can access the work area and a 25 foot boundary is imposed for other occupants of the building.

When a job has been completed, samples of the surrounding air are analyzed under a phase-contrast microscope. Based upon the results, the area is either cleared or re-cleaned and re-sampled. If the area is declared “clear,” it is opened to normal occupancy and all warning signs are removed.

CHEMICAL INVENTORY

Various Federal, State, and local regulations require the College to inventory the types and quantities of hazardous materials. Our Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) tracks and reports, as mandated, the on site storage and use of hazardous materials. Maintaining an up to date inventory assists in providing stakeholders with specific hazard and storage information and in emergency response.

Who needs to do a chemical inventory?

Principal Investigators, supervisors, storeroom managers, and anyone in charge of areas where hazardous materials are stored, must prepare and maintain a chemical inventory. Department administrators are responsible for ensuring that an accurate and current chemical inventory is available to the CHO upon request.

When is the inventory due?

Each department must submit an updated inventory to the CHO at least annually. All lists must be up to date as of January 1st of each year. The CHO sends reminders to departments at the beginning of the reporting period, along with instructions and specific due date.

In addition to the scheduled updates, if there are any significant changes such as room relocations, increased maximum amounts, new or dangerous chemicals added, or changes in names and phone numbers of key contacts, you must submit updates to EH&S within 30 days of the change. Contact your department safety liaison for assistance in getting started, or call EHS (5507) for assistance and training.

Which hazardous material must be inventoried?

A hazardous material is any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, physical characteristics, or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released. Materials to report in a chemical inventory include, but are not limited to:

Laboratory Chemicals: acids, bases, solvents, mercury, metallic salts, halogenated compounds, toxic substances such as lead compounds and acrylamide, mixtures of hazardous chemicals

Compressed Gas: toxic gases, pressurized gas cylinders of pure gases or mixtures of gases

Liquids Under Pressure: liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, propane, aerosols, chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants (liquid/gas phases)

Paints and Inks: both water- and oil-based paints, spray paints, printing inks or pastes

Solvents and Spirits: degreasers, kerosene, paint thinners

Lubricants: pump oil, hydraulic oil, motor oil, brake fluid, greases

Finishes: varnishes, shellacs, floor waxes, lacquers

Fuels: gasoline, camping fuel, diesel fuel

Maintenance/Structural Materials: asphalt-containing roofing, adhesives, and bonding agents, cleaning products and de-greasers

Grounds/Landscape Materials: fertilizers, plant food supplements, soda ash

Pesticides: insecticides, rodenticides, acaricides, fungicides, defoliants, herbicides

Drugs: pharmaceuticals, controlled substances

Photographic Materials: developers, reducers, stabilizers, activators, fixers, stop bath

Custodial Materials: cleaning agents, bleaches, floor strippers, soaps and detergents, disinfectants, corrosive products, ammonia

Note: Other hazardous materials, such as biological agents and radioactive materials, should not be included in the chemical inventory since they are tracked under separate EHS programs. Very small quantities of hazardous materials (such as liquid toners and cleaners stored in offices) need not be reported. Call EHS at 5507 if you have questions about what material must be reported through the Chemical Inventory Program.

Where are hazardous materials found?

• Research and teaching labs

• Building operations mechanical and storage areas

• Above and underground storage tanks

• Workshops

• Custodial closets

• Stockrooms/storerooms

• Swimming pools

• Containers under pressure such as liquid nitrogen tanks and gas cylinders

• Darkrooms

• Animal care

• Fine and performing arts areas