Program Description
Asbestos is a name given to a group of
naturally occurring fibrous minerals including chrysotile, amosite,
crocidolite, anthophyllite, actinolite and tremolite. Asbestos
has been used in a variety of products for purposes of
reinforcement, heat and cold insulation, friction, fire protection,
sound dampening, decoration, texturing, chemical resistance, and
other applications. Asbestos is a health hazard and causes
asbestos-related illnesses. (See "FAQ's
About Asbestos".)
In 1989, the Montana Legislature
identified the need for state-specific asbestos regulation.
The Legislature felt exposure to asbestos caused increased rates of
lung cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related
illnesses. To prevent unnecessary public exposure to asbestos,
a program to regulate and establish criteria for asbestos abatement
practices and training/accreditation was established.
Currently, the State has promulgated asbestos laws and rules that
guide permit issuance, accreditation requirements, course approval,
compliance assistance, abatement practices, rule making and penalty
procedures. These regulations are administered by the
Department of Environmental Quality's Asbestos Control Program.
The Asbestos Control Program has been
delegated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
administer sections of the National Emissions Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations. The NESHAP
regulation governs building renovations/demolitions, asbestos
disposal and other asbestos-related activities. EPA maintains
jurisdiction over asbestos in schools in Montana, where the Federal
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) enforces its
asbestos standards in the construction industry.
Since 1990, the DEQ has regulated
asbestos abatement projects in buildings involving the abatement of
three (3) or more linear or square feet of friable or potentially
friable asbestos-containing material (ACM). Asbestos abatement
means the repair, enclosure, encapsulation, removal and/or disposal
of friable ACM or ACM that may become friable. Asbestos
abatement projects require abatement permits, the use of accredited
personnel and the use of proper abatement control measures.
The regulated community of the Asbestos
Control Program includes personnel accredited in an asbestos-related occupation (worker, contractor/supervisor,
inspector, project designer and management planner), contractors and building owners.
Currently, there are two (2) full time
employees in the Asbestos Control Program. The Program is
funded by fees collected from the issuance of asbestos abatement
project permits, accreditations, inspections, course
reviews/approvals and audits, and the EPA.
