Property Health performs asbestos and hazardous materials surveys of buildings and properties. Buildings constructed prior to 1990 might contain asbestos. OSHA regulations require owners of buildings to know the condition of asbestos in their buildings and if tenants and/or employees are being exposed. If renovations or demolition are planned for any part of the building, USEPA regulations under National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) require the owner to know the extent of asbestos in the building prior to work starting.
In addition to asbestos, other materials are required to be tested and/or removed prior to renovation or demolition activities. Examples of such material are refrigeration units (chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs)); capacitors, ballasts, transformers (polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs)); thermostats, thermometers, Bailey meters (mercury); fluorescent light tubes and metal halide lighting (mercury vapor), emergency exit batteries (lead and acid), elevator reservoirs (oils, PCBs), product piping (chemicals and oils), paints (chemicals), and other miscellaneous materials.
Lead containing paint does not need to be removed prior to building demolition under current federal and most state regulations. The owner is required to notify the renovation/demolition contractor that lead-containing paint may be present in the buildings if painted surfaces are not surveyed and sampled. Additional notification is also required by the facility receiving potential lead-containing paint waste.
Property Health’s reports for these types of surveys include identification of the location, measured or estimated quantity, and condition of the materials.