Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
|
Learning Objectives |
Upon completion of this section, you should be able to
|
Introduction |
The earliest evidence of asbestos-associated disease in workers was found in the 1930s by British studies (Lee and Selikoff, 1979). We now know that the toxic effects of asbestos depend on the nature and extent of exposure, particularly on the
United States government agencies (OSHA and Centers for Disease Control's center National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)) began establishing standards for asbestos in the 1970s. US regulatory agencies such as EPA and OSHA recognize six asbestos minerals (chrysotile, actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, amosite, crocidolite) as legally regulated forms of asbestos out of the group of asbestiform minerals. Asbestiform minerals are defined as crystal aggregates displaying these characteristics groups of separable, long, thin, strong, and flexible fibers arranged in parallel or in matted masses. (ATSDR, 2001a) (ATSDR, 2001a). Other regulations focus primarily on the concentration of asbestos fibers in air. Currently, we have
|
Occupational Standards |
In 1986, OSHA established the current permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos in the workplace: 0.1 fibers/cc of air). PELs are an allowable exposure level in workplace air that are averaged over an 8-hour shift of a 40 hour workweek. OSHA requires employers of all workers who are exposed to asbestos (regardless of exposure level) to
In addition, OSHA requires workers who are exposed to asbestos above the PEL and who are employed in certain asbestos industries to
Components of the required medical surveillance include
For further information about OSHA requirements, you can visit http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/standards.html. For further information about protection guidelines, contact NIOSH at 1-800-35-NIOSH or visit the website at |
Environmental Standards |
ATSDR does not consider the use of OSHA's PEL for workplace exposures to be appropriate for environmentally exposed populations since residential and/or environmental exposures are 24 hours a day year round exposure rather than 8 hour day 40 hour week exposures. Children and the elderly are also not exposed in the workplace. EPA has established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for asbestos in drinking water: 7 MFL (million fibers per liter) in drinking water. In addition, EPA has
For more information on EPA rules and regulations regarding asbestos, visit the website at the following URL: |
Schools |
The Asbestos in Schools Identification and Notification Act of 1982 requires that local education agencies
EPA also warned school authorities that power buffing and power stripping of asbestos-tile floors in schools produces significant airborne asbestos levels. Floor maintenance must be performed by hand to prevent release of asbestos fibers. |
Key Points |
|
Progress Check |