Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/630729
148 Appendix D EPA and NIOSH recommend a practical approach that protects public health by emphasizing that ACM in buildings should be identified and appropriately managed, and that those workers who might disturb it should be properly trained and protected. EPA AND NIOSH POSITIONS ON ASBESTOS In an effort to calm unwarranted fears that a number of people seem to have about the mere presence of asbestos in their build- ings and to discourage the decisions by some building owners to remove all ACM regardless of its condition, the EPA Ad- ministrator issued an Advisory to the Pub- lic on Asbestos in Buildings in 1991. This advisory summarized EPA's policies for asbestos control in the presentation of the following "five facts": ■ Although asbestos is hazardous, the risk of asbestos-related disease depends upon exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. ■ Based upon available data, the average airborne asbestos levels in buildings seem to be very low. Accordingly, the health risk to most building occupants also appears to be very low. ■ Removal is often not a building owner's best course of action to reduce asbestos exposure. In fact, an improper removal can create a dangerous situation where none previously existed. ■ EPA only requires asbestos removal in order to prevent significant public expo- sure to airborne asbestos fibers during building demolition or renovation activities. ■ EPA does recommend a pro-active, in- place management program whenever asbestos-containing material is discovered. NIOSH's position on asbestos exposure has been expressed in NIOSH policy state- ments and internal reports and at OSHA public hearings: ■ NIOSH recommends the goal of elimi- nating asbestos exposure in the work- place. Where exposures cannot be elimi- nated, exposures should be limited to the lowest concentration possible. ■ NIOSH contends that there is no safe airborne fiber concentration for asbestos. NIOSH therefore believes that any de- tectable concentration of asbestos in the workplace warrants further evaluation and, if necessary, the implementation of measures to reduce exposures. ■ NIOSH contends that there is no scien- tific basis to support differentiating health risks between types of asbestos fibers for regulatory purposes. Copies of the EPA and NIOSH policy statements and public advisories are avail- able, respectively, from those agencies. See the last section in this appendix and the Resources section for information on how to obtain them. OSHA requires that signs be posted around areas where work is being done that involves damaged asbestos- containing materials. These signs must communicate specific types of information.