Definition

Asbestos is the most regulated substance in the United States of America. It is a mineral, which like many other common materials, is mined from the earth. It's fibrous structure and heat/chemical resistance have resulted in it's use in numerous building materials, the application of which has been worldwide in all types of construction, public, private, and commercial. These materials do not generally present a problem unless they become friable (a condition in which the material may be reduced to a powder by hand pressure).

Asbestos is regulated by the EPA and OSHA. Waste disposal and worker exposure/protection are the main focuses of the agencies.

The questions then arise of how to deal with the material, when remediation is required, and who should perform any such activities. Global Environmental is able to assist you in answering these questions in a timely and efficient manner.

Project Design and Management

• Project Design
  Asbestos abatement projects, especially those conducted in schools where the quantity of abated material exceeds 260 linear feet or 160 square feet, are usually required to have the abatement process specified by an accredited asbestos project designer.

  Project design is the process of assessing the client’s needs, identifying the scope of work, generating abatement specifications, and assisting the client in securing an approved abatement contractor through a bid process.

  These have the potential to be intimidating problems, but they are ones with which Global Environmental has routinely dealt. Allow us to guide you through project pitfalls, reduce liability, and keep your project on schedule, under budget, and in regulatory compliance. Call Global Environmental for your asbestos abatement project design needs today!

• Project Management
  Our certified consultants perform Building Inspection in order to identify, quantify, and assess the condition of potential asbestos containing materials. Asbestos abatement project oversight and air monitoring are also provided in order to ensure compliance with governmental and/or specification requirements.

• Management Plans
  These documents are required under the AHERA (40 CFR 763) as well as the OSHA (29 CFR 1926) regulations. Global Environmental has accredited management planners on staff ready to assist you in your needs for designing an ASBESTOS CONTROL PROGRAM, An AHERA MANAGEMENT PLAN or a Industrial Facility Operations and Maintenance Program. Global Environmental is also able to provide the personnel training that is also required by EPA and OSHA regulations.

Accredited Analytical Lab

Global Environmental's laboratory has a range of accreditations and participates in several proficiency programs. These proficiencies, accreditations and certifications ensure that our lab meets the highest standards of quality and can deliver reliable, consistent results.

Air Monitoring

Air quality monitoring is a vital component of any asbestos abatement project. Our consultants are well versed in all methods of abatement air monitoring in order to assist you or your contractor in OSHA monitoring, EPA clearance, specifications requirements. On-site analysis of PCM samples is also available.

The method of our air monitoring is based on a measured volume of air which is drawn through a membrane filter. A portion of the filter is then mounted on a microscope slide and rendered transparent. Using Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM), the fibers on a measured area of filter are counted, and the airborne fiber concentration is calculated.

Sampling Applications
This analytical method is applicable to different sampling situations as follows:

• Compliance Sampling: This refers to the use of the approved method to assess whether or not the personal exposures of workers is within the 30 minute excursion and 8 hour permissible exposure limits.
• Background sampling: this is conducted to establish fiber levels prior to any activity which may lead to airborne asbestos contamination.
• Leak (enclosure check) sampling: this is performed outside the enclosure while asbestos removal work is in progress to check that the environmental control systems are adequate.
• Assessment of the suitability of respirator protection: this is monitoring inside enclosures while asbestos removal is in progress and is conducted to assess the effectiveness of dust suppression measures and the suitability of respiratory protection.
• Clearance indicator sampling (clearance testing): this is air monitoring in a cleaned and visually examined enclosure from which asbestos has been removed or encapsulated, in order to establish that fiber concentrations are at or below save levels.
• Reassurance sampling: this is monitoring which may be conducted in certain circumstances (such as when an enclosure has been removed to confirm that the residual asbestos fiber concentrations are < 0.01 f/cc.

Naturally, we are able to issue clearance certificates to Health & Safety Executive criteria.