14 Asbestos Safety Manual Environmental Health and Safety E. Regulatory Requirements and Guidelines Building owners are governed by federal and state regulations in the way they deal with asbestos-containing materials in their buildings. An overview of the regulations governing asbestos follows. Federal Agencies The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are the two primary federal agencies that have established regulations to prevent contamination of the environment and to protect asbestos workers and the general public from exposure to asbestos. Other federal agencies involved with regulations pertaining to asbestos control include: • Department of Transportation (DOT) • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) • Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) • National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the EPA administers the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). The intent of this standard is to prevent “visible emissions” of asbestos into the environment and applies to the university as a building owner. The asbestos NESHAP requires: • Inspection of building or facility by a certified inspector prior to any renovation activity or demolition. • Notification in writing to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) postmarked ten-working days prior to start of renovation or demolition. • Specific removal techniques to minimize fiber release during abatement including high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration. • Specific guidelines that regulate the transport and disposal of asbestos waste at an approved landfill. • The prohibition of the application of acoustical or thermal ACM. Under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), the EPA administers the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule. Pursuant to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the AsbestosContaining Materials in Schools Rule requires all public and private, non-profit K-12 schools to inspect their school buildings for asbestos-
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