The disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), which are materials in buildings, ships, or other construction or industry products that are one percent or more asbestos, is closely regulated by a federal body, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1973, the EPA established the ‘asbestos subpart’ of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). Since its creation, the Asbestos NESHAP has been updated and revised several times to ensure safe asbestos disposal practices to prevent the diagnosis of mesothelioma along with the need for other respiratory treatment options.
Asbestos NESHAP Regulations for Asbestos Disposal
The Asbestos NESHAP is very detailed in its requirements regarding asbestos disposal in order to minimize the risks to public health that asbestos cleaning presents. ACMs were widely used throughout the U.S. before the 1980s, and the issue of how to dispose of the huge quantities of asbestos has been carefully considered, particularly regarding:
- The disposal of asbestos-containing byproducts from demolition, renovation, manufacturing, spraying, milling, and fabricating operations
- Active waste and asbestos disposal sites
The Asbestos NESHAP even mandates that the vehicles used to transport ACMs must be marked according to new guidelines, and that a waste shipment record must be provided. The entire purpose of asbestos cleanup and disposal regulations is to protect humans from inhaling the toxic, microscopic fibers of which asbestos is composed. The inhalation of asbestos can cause cancer and severe respiratory problems for those who are disposing of asbestos.
Asbestos Disposal for Homeowners and Small Businesses
If you’re a homeowner or business owner and you’re unsure of how to properly and legally go about the disposal of asbestos-containing materials, contact one of the ten EPA offices in the U.S. The EPA staff will give you information on disposing of asbestos-containing materials such as:
- asbestos siding
- asbestos cement
- asbestos-wrapped pipes
- asbestos tile (ceiling or flooring)
If you have questions about asbestos disposal regulations, how to dispose of asbestos safely, or your legal rights, contact Mesothelioma Treatment Centers to speak with an asbestos attorney in your area. Asbestos lawyers specialize in representing people who are concerned about the dangers of asbestos or those who have been exposed to the materials.
