SECTION 12: Asbestos

Asbestos was incorporated into a number of widely used products, many of which were used in building construction beginning in the late 1800’s. By the mid-1980’s, most products containing asbestos were removed from the market. The most common use of asbestos in Princeton University buildings was in floor tiles, mastic, thermal systems insulation (TSI), ceiling tiles, structural steel fireproofing, and acoustical and decorative plaster.

Asbestos abatement is regulated by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Abatement in educational facilities (including most Princeton University buildings) is also regulated by the New Jersey Departments of Environmental Protection and Community Affairs.

Per the OSHA Asbestos Standard (29 CFR 1926.1101), building materials installed prior to 1980 must be presumed to contain asbestos unless historical information or testing indicates otherwise. A list of products that might contain asbestos is included in Appendix A.

• Prior to building maintenance or renovation projects, the Project Manager is responsible for arranging a survey to determine if asbestos-containing building material is present in the work area and, if so, whether it will be impacted by the planned work. Contact the EHS Technical Specialist at 258-6251 for testing. The Facilities Manager of Environmental Compliance or Manager of Alarms/Mechanical Trades may provide advice and coordination for asbestos removal projects. Larger scale projects may require an outside firm to test and design abatement.
• Buildings built prior to 1981 may have asbestos warning notices on the back of mechanical room doors. The notices consist of an initial warning that the building may contain asbestos-containing materials (ACM), a list of products which may contain asbestos and a notice which lists the results of previous sampling performed in the space.
• Asbestos does not always need to be removed if it will not be disturbed. In some cases, management in place may be advisable.
• If abatement is needed, state regulations require submission and approval of an asbestos abatement design, use of a state-licensed firm to perform the abatement, air monitoring at the perimeter of the abatement area during
  removal and inspection and clearance testing of the abated area prior to re-occupancy. In most cases, an outside contractor performs each of these functions.
• Under no circumstances shall University or contracted workers damage or disturb known or suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACM) unless they are a licensed asbestos abatement contractor and have been specifically employed to perform asbestos repair or removal.
• If suspect asbestos materials are discovered during the course of the work, the Project Manager should suspend work that could disturb the material and contact EHS for testing of the materials.
• The Project Manager should ensure contractors are informed of the location of suspect and known ACM and that materials which might be impacted by the work have been abated.
• ACM must be disposed in a secure landfill in a manner consistent with relevant state and federal regulations.
• Some projects may indirectly disturb ACM. For example, where asbestos is sprayed on the structural beam above the ceiling tiles, small amounts of ACM may loosen and fall onto the surface of the ceiling tile. To avoid personal exposure or building contamination, a licensed asbestos abatement contractor must clean the surface of the ceiling tiles before they are removed or displaced. Contact EHS or the Facilities Manager of Environmental Compliance for advice in such situations.

Appendix A: Examples of Products that May Contain Asbestos (top)

[1] Laboratory aprons, gloves cord, rope, fire blankets, and curtains may be common.

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