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Campus PeriodicalsResources for ReportersSelected Administrative OfficesCalendarsMaintained by pioweb@ucsc.edu |
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Administrative MessageOctober 20, 2006 To: UCSC Faculty, Staff, and Students From: UCSC Environmental Health & Safety Re: Asbestos-Containing Construction Materials on CampusThis notice contains general information about the presence of asbestos-containing construction materials (ACCM) on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus, and is required by law to be provided to all employees. For more specific information about asbestos containing construction materials in your building, please contact Environmental Health & Safety (459-2553). Background Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of fibrous minerals once widely used in a variety of building materials. Asbestos fibers are still used in some building materials; however, UCSC prohibits the use of asbestos-containing materials in new construction and renovation projects. On campus, most asbestos is located in various pipe insulations, boiler insulations, floor tiles, linoleum and sheet vinyl floor coverings, sheetrock joint compound, adhesives, mastics, fire doors and roofing materials. Friable asbestos [material that contains more than one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) asbestos by weight and can be crumbled by hand] is a potential hazard because it can release fibers into the air if damaged. Intact, sealed, and undisturbed materials are not a hazard. Current information and data indicate long-term exposure to asbestos from activities that directly disturb asbestos fibers (such as asbestos mining and product manufacturing) can lead to a variety of respiratory diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining encircling the lungs). There is no immediate adverse health effect associated with asbestos exposure. The symptoms of asbestos related diseases do not manifest themselves for many years (typically 20-40 years). Asbestosis: a non-malignant, irreversible disease resulting in fibrosis of the lung Asbestos-related lung cancer: lung cancer, risk of contracting lung cancer greatly increases if exposed to asbestos AND the individual is a smoker Mesothelioma: cancer of the lining encircling the lungs, may result from overall smaller exposures to asbestos The health risk posed by asbestos to UCSC employees is very low due to the implementation of the campus’ Asbestos Management Program. This program involves removal of damaged, friable asbestos, in-place management of undamaged asbestos-containing materials, and removal of existing asbestos containing materials during construction and renovation projects. Asbestos Management and Surveys Hall-Kimbrell Environmental Services, Inc. conducted a comprehensive survey for friable asbestos and prepared a survey report identifying the location and describing the condition of asbestos containing materials. Additional survey data is collected as part of the ongoing Asbestos Management Program during construction and renovation projects. Copies of the full Hall-Kimbrell report and all other campus asbestos data as well as the location of asbestos containing construction materials on campus is available from the EH&S Office. General Procedures and Handling Restrictions The Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Office, Physical Planning and Construction (PP&C), Physical Plant, and the University Housing Maintenance Services maintain and implement the campus Asbestos Management Program. Through the combination of asbestos abatement projects and a continuing maintenance program, significant asbestos exposure hazards are eliminated from campus. However, asbestos fiber release could result when someone unknowingly damages or disturbs (drills, grinds, sands, cuts, abrades) asbestos containing construction material. To avoid fiber release and potential exposure, only trained and certified employees may remove, repair or in any way disturb asbestos containing construction materials. To prevent asbestos fiber release, campus procedures require that EH&S performs a survey prior to any construction or renovation project to determine whether asbestos containing construction materials may be disturbed. Any asbestos containing materials that might be impacted are properly removed or encapsulated prior to construction or renovation work. Asbestos removal and encapsulation work is performed according to specifications developed jointly by EH&S and PP&C. EH&S oversees asbestos removal work, conducts air sampling, ensures the safety of nearby personnel and checks spaces to determine they are safe for re-occupancy. EH&S and PP&C take the following actions to eliminate or minimize campus exposure to asbestos: 1. Maintain up-to-date information regarding the location of all asbestos containing materials on campus 2. Respond to employee concerns to assure that asbestos hazards are properly addressed 3. Conduct air sampling and physical inspection of work areas that include asbestos containing construction materials 4. Train campus employees who maintain, impact or remove materials containing asbestos 5. Educate the campus community on the relative hazards of asbestos and on the importance of notifying EH&S or Physical Plant of the presence of damaged materials they suspect may contain asbestos If you have any questions about this notice or if you become aware of a situation you believe might lead to airborne asbestos fiber release, please contact EH&S at 459-2553.
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