Building owners are responsible for disclosing if a building contains asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials before the 1980s. It can pose a health risk if fibers become airborne. Some materials that may contain asbestos include insulation, fireproofing, ceiling and floor tiles, shingles, and siding. Proper handling and disposal of asbestos-containing materials is regulated by OSHA and AQMD to prevent exposure and protect public health.

1. City of Los Angeles
Department of Building and Safety
Inspection Bureau
Training and Emergency
Management Division
Presents
ASBESTOS AWARENESS
2011

3. What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that takes the form of
hollow, microscopic fibers which are nearly indestructible. It can be
densely packed into a tough, flexible and very useful material,
which has been used for hundreds of years as clothing, insulation,
fireproofing and various other building materials.
Asbestos mineral rock 3

4. There are three major types of asbestos used in building
and industry:
Chrysotile, or white asbestos - used as insulation,
fireproofing and soundproofing.
Amosite, or brown asbestos - used in high friction
applications like brake shoes & clutches.
Crocidolite, or blue asbestos - not as common as the
other two, but the most toxic form. Used in filters for Kent
cigarettes from 1952-1957, bourbon whiskey and the air for
hospitals.
About 95% of all asbestos used in the U.S. has been
chrysotile, the least toxic form of asbestos.
4

5. What are the origins of asbestos?
Asbestos is formed by geological processes. In the raw, long
fibers found in rock and is practically indestructible. The first
recorded use of asbestos was about 2000 years ago in China for
clothing and candle wicks. Large scale mining began about 1880
and at the turn of the century, Mr. Johns and Mr. Mannsville
developed asbestos gaskets that revolutionized the boiler industry.
Asbestos has been banned in many countries throughout the
world, primarily chrysotile and crocilodite , however many
countries continue to utilize other forms of the product.
5

6. When is asbestos a potential health hazard?
Asbestos that is “friable”; easily crumbled, pulverized or reduced
to powder in your hand when dry. Friable asbestos has the potential
to release asbestos fibers that can become airborne, and potentially
create a health hazard.
Asbestos that is bonded, coated, painted, covered or otherwise
protected so that it doesn’t release airborne fibers does not present a
health hazard.
6

7. What are some health effects that could result from exposure
to airborne asbestos fibers?
Asbestosis - a progressive, non-cancerous and
irreversible scarring of the lungs that can produce shortness of
breath. Typical latency period is over 20 years.
Pleural disease - plaque deposits or a thickening of the
thin tissue that separates the lungs from the other organs in the
body.
Lung cancer - cancerous tumors that have a latency
period of 20 to 30 years, usually fatal. 7-15 years to show
symptoms, usually related to smoking.
Mesothelioma - a cancer in the lining of the chest
cavity or abdomen, very rare but always fatal, 25-40 years to
show symptoms, mainly asbestos workers.
7

8. Some health effects that could result from exposure to
airborne asbestos fibers continued…
The link between asbestos exposure and lung cancer was
confirmed in 1955.
It is important to note that most asbestos related diseases
have occurred in workers who historically have had high
exposures to asbestos. Workers that mined it, milled it,
mixed it, applied it or manufactured it are at the highest
risk.
Workers whose only exposure to asbestos was in changing auto
brake shoes containing asbestos have shown no increased
incidence of any asbestos related disease.
8

9. Some health effects that could result from exposure to
airborne asbestos fibers continued…
Before asbestos was known to be a serious health hazard,
exposure levels to airborne asbestos in these industries may
have reach over 100 fibers/cc. This is 1000 times higher than
the current Occupational Health and Safety Administration
(OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.1 fibers/cc.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Research has shown that smoking significantly increases the
risk of lung cancer in individuals who are exposed to unsafe
levels of asbestos. 5 times higher in asbestos workers that
smoked than workers that did not, 100 times higher when
compared to non asbestos workers.
9

10. A 1950s medical journal rated Kent as one of the best cigarettes for removing
harmful tar.
The P. Lorillard Tobacco Company used crocidolite asbestos in the filters it used
on KENT cigarettes from 1952 until 1956. Hollingsworth & Vose Co. made the
'Mictronite' filters that Lorillard used in the cigarettes. Between 1952-1956
Lorillard sold 13 billion Kent Micronite asbestos filtered cigarettes.
The packages above represent a typical Kent cigarette with the micronite filter
package. The filter media is made of crimped layers of paper, typical filter fibers
and crocidolite fibers.
10

11. Manufacturing cigarette filters using the 'dry' process; this involved mixing the crocidolite
and other substances and depositing the mixture onto filter paper.
There is an excellent eBay seller that when listed has some the best Kent micronite filter
displays accompanied with a very detailed explanation behind the micronite filter and its
composition. Also there have been many in-depth analysis of the Kent Cigarette one such
research document is titled Crocidolite Asbestos Fibers in Smoke from Original Kent
Cigarettes, by William E. Longo, Mark W. Rigler and John Slade.
Other Asbestos Uses With Tobacco
A compound of tobacco and asbestos was mixed to make paper for cigarettes. The paper
is cut up like cigarette paper, and a number of leaflets are put together in book form. To
use it you take a leaf and roll it up between your fingers, and it is ready for smoking. As
asbestos has neither taste nor smell it does not interfere with the flavor of tobacco, while
the veil effects of smoking are obviated.
For pipe tobacco the mixture was made up so that the asbestos is not observable in the
mixture. It was very cool to smoke and consumed the nicotine in the tobacco, while it
burned right down to the bottom of the pipe. A pipe smoked with this tobacco-asbestos
was said to be always dry and left no filthy moisture in the stem.
Robert H. Jones, Asbestos, Its Properties, Occurence, & Uses, London, 1890 11

12. Asbestos fiber showing cancer growth
12

13. Microscopic view of asbestos fibers
13

14. Dissected mesothelioma infected lungs
14

15. Some well known fatalities from asbestos
• Paul Gleason, American actor, (The
Breakfast Club, 1985) died in 2006 of
mesothelioma. Most likely contracted
asbestos from working with his father’s
construction business when he was
young.
15

16. Some well known fatalities from asbestos
• Warren Zevon, American rock and roll
musician and songwriter, died in 2003
of mesothelioma.
16

17. Some well known fatalities from asbestos
z Actor Steve Mc Queen died of mesothelioma
in 1980. He was a heavy smoker, wore asbestos
suits when racing cars and rode motorcycles
extensively in the desert, a region known for
natural asbestos contamination. He blamed
the exposure from his time in the U. S. Marines
where he removed massive amounts of
asbestos from the boiler systems abroad ships.
17

18. Where is asbestos found?
Most buildings constructed prior to 1980
contain some form of asbestos. Asbestos was
banned from building materials in 1980,
however its use was allowed until all stock was
used up.
18

19. Asbestos is often a component in the
following materials:
• Fireproofing
• Thermal Insulation
• Boilers
• Ventilation Systems
• Ceiling Tiles
• Dry Wall, Taping Compound and
Plaster
19

20. Asbestos is often a component in the
following materials continued…
• Texturized Paints
• Roofing Shingles, Felt, Tar and Flashing
• Decorative Building Materials
• Sheathing on Electronics and Power
Cables
• Automotive and Elevator Brake Pads &
Clutches
• Transite Vents 20

21. Boilers wrapped in asbestos type of material
It has been estimated that one out of every four boilers installed before 1970
contains asbestos. Generally, if the boiler is coated with asbestos then so are
the boiler pipes. Usually the insulation on boilers is two to six inches thick
and contains chicken wire or some other for structural support.
21

22. This picture also shows asbestos mud joints that are
significantly damaged. This pipe is also insulated with
asbestos air cell insulation. Most pipes wrapped in
asbestos also have asbestos containing joints.
22

23. An instance where new fiberglass insulation was applied directly over
existing asbestos insulation. Caution is needed when working on any
unlabeled material, particularly in areas where we have both ACM
(asbestos containing material) insulation side-by-side with new
insulation. If in doubt, assume the material is ACM.
23

24. Asbestos in good condition on heating pipes
24

25. Asbestos in poor condition on heating pipes
25

26. Incomplete or amateur removal. Fuzzy scraps of asbestos-suspect
material left on a rusty steel heating pipe in a basement indicate
that asbestos insulation was removed without cleaning and sealing
the surface of the pipe.
26

27. Here is a close-up of asbestos debris left on a heating pipe.
The insulation was simply removed without cleaning.
27

28. Ducts that are sealed and
wrapped in a paper like
material.
When contractors work on older
homes with asbestos wrapped
around the duct, they can have
the ducts removed by a certified
company, or wrap the asbestos
covered duct with insulation. In
homes the ducts are usually in
the attic, and in some commer-
cial jobs the ducts are on the
roof.
The gray corrugated, cardboard-like material pictured above is
AirCell (or Air-O-Cell) asbestos insulation
28

29. Air-Cell Asbestos Insulation
29

30.  Some large commercial systems have asbestos
insulation wrapped around the HVAC piping.
Here is an example of common asbestos thermal system
insulation (TSI), similar in appearance to gray, wrapped paper
or cardboard.
30

31. • 9” x 9” vinyl floor tiles
31

32. 9” x 9” vinyl floor tiles
32

33. Ceiling Tiles
Through the years particulate’s from fireproofing,
pipe insulation, etc. settle on top of ceiling tiles
and, when disturbed, become airborne.
33

34. Vermiculite and Zonolite
Insulation Products
Vermiculite and Zonolite
Insulation Products 34

35. Vermiculite and Zonolite
Depending on the mine from
which this mineral-based
insulation was obtained, it may
contain asbestos fibers and
could present a hazard in
buildings, especially if disturbed
during renovations.
These are U.S. EPA photos of the
bagged product. We are not
likely to see these on a jobsite.
35

36. Transite Venting and Ductwork 36

37. Sonno-Duct
Sonno-Duct
37

38. Asbestos Shingle Siding
38

39. ASBESTOS-FREE MATERIALS - Examples of materials that
do not commonly contain asbestos but might be
mistaken for asbestos-containing substances
Cellulose building insulation
39

40. Mineral wool insulation, developed in the
1850's and popular up to the 1950's, is a
mineral fiber that looks like chopped white
cottony material.
Slag wool is a manmade vitreous fiber made
by spinning slag into insulating fibers.
Mineral wool or "rock wool" is made from
natural minerals such as basalt or diabase. It
would not be expected to contain asbestos
fibers. It is a good insulating material and has
a better "R" value and more sound-reduction
ability per inch than some fiberglass.
40

41. ASBESTOS-FREE MATERIALS - Examples of materials that
do not commonly contain asbestos but might be
mistaken for asbestos-containing substances
Mineral Wool, Rock Wool, or Slag Wool building insulation does
not contain asbestos
41

42. ASBESTOS-FREE MATERIALS - Examples of materials that
do not commonly contain asbestos but might be
mistaken for asbestos-containing substances
Cotton insulating batts do not contain asbestos
42

43. City of Los Angeles Building Code
1966 Edition
DIVISION 39 – STAGES
SEC. 91.3904 – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STAGES ACCESSORY TO
GROUP A OCCUPANCY ASSEMBLY ROOMS
(d) Proscenium Curtain. 1. General. Every stage regulated by this Section shall be
provided with a flexible or a rigid proscenium curtain as set forth in this Subsection.
4. Flexible curtain. Proscenium openings less in area than 1,200 square feet may
be provided with a flexible curtain in lieu of the rigid curtain specified in the Subsection (a)
of this Section
Every flexible curtain shall be made of reinforced cloth weighing at least 2 3/4
pounds per square yard and containing at least 85% asbestos. The reinforcement shall be of
corrosion-resistant metal incorporated into the yarn before weaving. After fabrication, the
asbestos cloth shall be filled with a metallic pigment in silicate of soda.
*This requirement was eliminated by 1976.
43

44. 2011 City of Los Angeles Plumbing Code
604.0 Materials
604.1 Water distribution pipe, building supply water pipe and fittings shall be
of brass, copper, cast iron, galvanized malleable iron, galvanized wrought
iron, galvanized steel, or other approved materials. Asbestos-cement, CPVC,
PE, PVC, or PEX water pipe manufactured to recognized standards may be
used for cold water distribution systems outside a building. CPVC, PEX
water pipe, tubing, and fittings, manufactured to recognized standards may be
used for hot and cold water distribution systems within a building. All
materials used in the water supply system, except valves and similar devices
shall be of a like material, except where otherwise approved by the
Administrative Authority.
44

45. City of Los Angeles Building Code
2011 Edition
SECTION 8116
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR
LIGHT-HOUSEKEEPING ROOMS
8116.2.2 The cooking appliances used therein, if any, shall have no more than two burners.
If electric appliances are used, they shall have been tested and approved by the
Underwriters Laboratories. If gas appliances are used, they shall have been tested and
approved by the American Gas Association.
8116.2.3 The installation, maintenance or use of said cooking appliance shall not be
hazardous to life, health or property.
8116.2.4.2 The walls behind and adjacent to said cooking appliance shall be lined or
back-flashed with noncombustible material equivalent to 1/4-inch asbestos mill board.
The back-flashing shall extend from 12 inches below to 24 inches above the base of
the appliance. There shall be clear and unobstructed space of 36 inches above the
surface of the cooking appliance.
45

46. Can asbestos be identified visually?
There is no way to visually identify asbestos.
Many materials that contain asbestos look
just the same as materials that don't. The only
way to confirm that a material is asbestos is to
take samples and analyze the material in a
laboratory.
46

47. What can you do to limit your exposure to
asbestos?
Most buildings, especially older ones, contain
some amount of asbestos. But remember,
asbestos is only a potential hazard if it is
damaged and friable, releasing fibers into
the air we breathe.
47

48. I have heard about other products that contain asbestos like
compounds such as insulation and talc. What are the facts?
Talc a mineral, not a fiber, is manufactured from the same
mines and areas as asbestos. Any asbestos found in talc will be
very low in volume and is considered natural contamination.
PEL’s are below allowed levels.
Fiberglass is made from silicon, a derivative of granite.
Asbestos are considered silicates. Asbestos fibers are
considered microscopic, fiberglass are not. Formaldehyde is
used to glue the fiberglass together, however it’s formal
structure deteriorates within a few years. High quantities of
Formaldehyde are also found in particle board.
48

49. What laws regulate asbestos?
Federal Occupational Safety and Health
Standard 1910 (www.osha.gov) and California
Occupational Safety and Health Regulation,
Title 8, Chapter 4, Construction Safety Orders,
Article 4, Section 1529 (www.dir.ca.gov). The
State regulations are basically the same as the
Federal Standard, A.Q.M.D. Rule 1403.
G
49

50. Who is responsible to let others know if a
building contains asbestos?
California State Title 8 tells us that
“Building and/or facility owners shall
notify the following persons of the
presence, location and quantity of ACM
or PACM, at the work sites in their
buildings and facilities.
50

51. Some Title 8 Definitions
ACM-Asbestos Containing Material means any
material containing more than one percent asbestos.
Building/Facility Owner is the legal entity,
including lessee, which exercises control over
management and record keeping functions relating to
a building and/or facility in which activities covered
by this standard take place.
PACM-Presumed Asbestos Containing Materials.
51

52. Responsibility to let others know if a building
contains asbestos continued…
Notification either shall be in writing, or
shall consist of a personal communication
between the owner and the person to
whom notification must be given or their
authorized representatives:
52

53. Who is responsible to let others know if a
building contains asbestos continued…
• Prospective employers applying or
bidding for work whose employees
reasonably can be expected to work
in or adjacent to areas containing
such material;
• Employees of the owner who will work
in or adjacent to areas containing
such material;
53

54. Who is responsible to let others know if a
building contains asbestos continued…
• On multi-employer worksites, all
employers of employees who will be
performing work within or adjacent to
areas containing such material;
• Tenants who will occupy areas
containing such material.”
• Per California State Title 8, Chapter 4,
Sub-Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 1529
54

55. What is AQMD Rule 1403?
AQMD Rule 1403, “Asbestos Emissions From
Demolition/Renovation Activities”, is designed to
limit asbestos emissions from building demolition and
renovation activities. AQMD must be notified 14 days
prior to any demolition or removal of more than 100
square feet of asbestos, unless the applicant declares
that notification is not applicable to the scheduled
demolition permit.
Per Information Bulletin P-B/C 2011-067
55

56. How do we know if it is safe to enter into an area that is
suspected of or known to have disturbed asbestos?
Department policy requires that a “Bulk/Air Sampling and
Clearance for Buildings where Asbestos has Been
Disturbed” letter be submitted to the department upon final
inspection approval.¹
¹Department Policy and Procedures, Inspection of Sites Containing
Disturbed Asbestos, January 28, 1992, Policy Order No. 70.
56

57. How we know if it is safe to enter into an area that is
suspected of or known to have disturbed asbestos
continued…
At the completion of asbestos fireproofing, removal and
replacement, air testing shall be conducted by an independent
testing laboratory upon request by the Department of Building
and Safety. The laboratory shall successfully participate in the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Proficient Analytical Testing Program(PAT). The results of the
air testing shall be signed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist.
A copy of this report shall be submitted to the inspector and
maintained in the file.¹
¹Information Bulletin P/BC 2011-66
57

58. Who can I call about asbestos removal or
demolition questions?
AQMD Asbestos Hot Line at 909-396-2336 Tuesday -
Friday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm.
For after hours emergencies call 1-800-CUT-SMOG.
Leave a message stating the reason for the emergency
and if you want a supervisor to respond to your call.
Online: http://www.aqmd.gov/
58

59. Question: You walk into a jobsite and see this.
What do you do?
59

60. Thank You for
Joining us for
Asbestos Awareness
2011
60