New York City Homes asbestos permit application form, n.d.

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o o i RECOGNIZING ASBESTOS i^ DOES THE LAW PROTECT YOU FROM ASBESTOS? co

o It's difficult to recognize asbestos CALL THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION ■D c o o since it is in many items and forms. AT 1-800-638-CPSC Numerous laws regulating most CT Your boiler may be coated with a FOR THEIR BOOKLET “ASBESTOS IN THE HOME.” asbestos-related work have been o' KJ white plaster-like substance con­ passed. The following are some ■D 03 taining asbestos. Your hot water highlights: O 00 3. O pipes may be wrapped with asbestos­ 03 containing insulation that sometimes IF YOU THINK THERE IS ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME Federal o looks like corrugated cardboard. On ■ The Occupational Safety and o the inside of radiator covers, you ■ Do not sand, drill, grind, cut or otherwise disturt^ny material you think may contain asbestos. o Even small spot repairs require great care and sf^cial equipment. Asbestos should be handled Health Administration (OSHA) c may find an asbestos-containing mandates limits on exposure 3 liner which resembles plaster board. by a trained individual. j CD in the work place of not more Vinyl floor tiling that contains ■ Do not dust, sweep or vacuum particles Y than 0.2 fiber per cubic centimeter asbestos looks like vinyl flooring suspected of containing asbestos. Asbestos of air (f/cc) as an 8-hour time- that doesn’t contain asbestos. fibers can break down into smaller and finer weighted average airborne fibers. The fibers can become so small that concentration. they cannot be seen and can pass through normal vacuum cleaner filters and get back ■ Construction activities (demoliton into the air. or renovation) which will disturb asbestos must be reported to ■ Hire a New York City Certified Asbestos U.S. Environmental Protection Investigator to survey your home for Agency (EPA) and be conducted asbestos and recommend a course of according to EPA and OSHA action. regulations and rules. ■ If you are sure the asbestos in your home is in good condition, don’t disturb it; check its condition periodically. Regulations recently proposed by the U.S. Environmental ■ Consult with a New York State Certified Asbestos Investigator BEFORE embarking on Protection Agency would phase furnace and boiler replacement, or any demolition and/or renovation to determine if asbestos out most uses of asbestos over is present and may be disturbed. the next ten years. The Consumer Asbestos insulation may be in the Product Safety Commission is , walls and around pipes behind the ■ You can hire a contractor licensed by the New York State Department of Labor who employs New York State and/or City Certified Asbestos Abatement Handlers and Supervisors to remove proposing labeling requirements. walls. Therefore, prior to embarking on plumbing repairs and other or encapsulate the asbestos. It is wise to obtain at least two estimates. Ask to see the New York demolition or repair work behind State and/or City certificate with photo identification of each worker and supervisor. your walls, consult with a NYC ■ If you want to take samples yourself, call the White Lung Association, 212-619-2270, for certified asbestos investigator procedures for taking bulk samples to determine if a material contains asbestos. Make sure to determine if asbestos may be the laboratory you choose to analyze the samples is accredited with the Ameican Industrial present. Hygiene Association and has performed well in the ERA’S Bulk Asbestos Accreditation. Be sure to follow all procedures recommended to protect yourself against exposure when taking Some products containing asbestos samples. are still being manufactured. ■ It is not recommended, but if you want to do your own asbestos repair or removal work, take If you are concerned about a a course in asbestos removal. The White Lung Association offers courses for homeowners; product ask the manufacturer for the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Environmental the Product Safety Data Sheet or Protection have lists of approved courses for asbestos handlers. Material Safety Data Sheet. ■ Consult with the manufacturers to ascertain if year appliances contain asbestos. Have a ‘ qualified repair technician repair any appliance yc^ feel may contain asbestos. BEFORE YOU HIRE AN ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR

■ Ascertain that the firm is licensed by New York State, that the workers are certified by New York State and/or New York City and that they have photo identification. ■ Be aware that there are several ways to remedy an asbestos problem: removal of the material, encapsulation of it and enclosure. ■ Make sure that your contract states that the work will be performed in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.