 |
|
|
AIR
> Overview
Breathing, of course, is common to everyone, so it makes sense that our most common
concern is probably the quality of the air we inhale. Federal and state governments,
too, are concerned about pollutants that can injure health and harm the environment.
In order achieve and maintain the best possible air quality, the EPA regulates
air quality under the Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1972 and the CAA Amendments of
1990. Under this law, the EPA has set limits for pollutant emissions throughout
the United States. These regulations are designed to protect air quality from
harmful smog-forming pollutants, carbon monoxide and particulates (asbestos,
soot, dust and smoke). This section of the EVC covers these asbestos issues
as they pertain to air quality within your school’s residential facility:
- Standards for Building Demolition and Renovation: These
federal regulations apply to owners/operators of structures undergoing demolition
and/or renovation activities. They include notification requirements and procedures
for asbestos emission control. (See 40 CFR 61.145.)
- Requirements for Removal and Disposal of Asbestos: These
regulations are specific to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and apply to
individuals performing asbestos-related activities. These activities include
demolition, renovation, installation, re-installation, handling, transportation,
storage or disposal at any component of a facility that contains asbestos,
asbestos-containing material (ACM) or asbestos-containing waste material in
a manner that causes or contributes to a condition of air pollution. The regulations
include notification requirements and procedures for asbestos emission control.
(See 310 CMR 7.15.)
- Requirements for Dust, Odor, Construction and Demolition:
These regulations, too, are specific to the State of Massachusetts and apply
to individuals involved with dust- or odor-generating operations that may
occur during construction or demolition work. (See 310 CMR 7.09.)
- National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP):
In accordance with Section 112 of the CAA, EPA established NESHAP to protect
the public from hazardous air pollutants, asbestos being one of them. The
intention of the asbestos regulations of NESHAP is to minimize the release
of asbestos fibers during activities that involve processing, handling or
disposing asbestos-containing material (ACM). NESHAP standards for asbestos
specify work practices to be followed during demolitions and renovations of
all structures, installations and buildings.
Continue on through this section of the EVC to learn more about regulatory
requirements related to asbestos.
|
|
