Asbestos remains a significant environmental and public health concern worldwide due to its widespread historical use and the severe health risks associated with its fibers. Proper handling and disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are crucial to mitigate these risks.
This guide synthesizes best practices and regulatory requirements for managing asbestos waste, drawing from guidelines provided by South Australia’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the University of Cincinnati, and international best practices.
Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals, was extensively used in construction, manufacturing, and various industries throughout the mid-20th century. Despite its beneficial properties, such as heat resistance and durability, asbestos poses serious health hazards when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled.
Diseases linked to asbestos exposure include mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Effective management of asbestos waste is essential to prevent environmental contamination and protect public health.
Understanding Asbestos and Its Risks
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos comprises fibrous silicate minerals from the serpentine and amphibole groups, including:
- Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
- Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
- Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
- Actinolite
- Anthophyllite
- Tremolite
These fibers are highly hazardous when inhaled, leading to severe respiratory diseases.
Health Risks
Exposure to asbestos fibers can result in:
- Mesothelioma: A rare cancer affecting the lining of the lungs or abdomen.
- Asbestosis: Chronic lung disease causing scarring of lung tissue.
- Lung Cancer: Increased risk associated with prolonged asbestos exposure.
Types of Asbestos-Containing Materials
Non-Friable Asbestos
Non-friable ACMs are materials where asbestos fibers are bound together with cement, vinyl, resin, or similar substances. Common examples include:
- Asbestos cement sheeting (flat or corrugated)
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Water or flue pipes
- Asbestos-bonded products produced before 1980
Friable Asbestos
Friable ACMs are materials that can be easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. These materials pose significant health risks if disturbed and include:
- Pipe lagging
- Insulation
- Asbestos-backed vinyl floor tiles
Definitions
- Asbestos Waste: Includes all removed ACMs and disposable items used during asbestos work, such as plastic sheeting, coveralls, respirators, and cleaning rags.
- Producer of Listed Waste: Entities authorized by the EPA to handle listed hazardous wastes, including asbestos.
- Transporter of Listed Waste: Licensed individuals or companies responsible for transporting hazardous wastes like asbestos.
Regulations for Commercial Removal and Transport
Commercial Removal
Contractors handling friable asbestos must:
- Obtain an environmental authorization (EPA licence) as a ‘Producer of Listed Waste’ under the Environment Protection Act 1993.
- Secure a licence from SafeWork SA under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012.
Exceptions:
- EPA licences are not required for friable asbestos waste produced from domestic activities, building work, carpentry, plumbing, gas fitting, or painting and decorating, unless contractors are specifically engaged for asbestos removal.
For non-friable asbestos:
- Removal of more than 10 m² requires a relevant SafeWork SA licence.
Commercial Transport
Transporters of asbestos waste for fee or reward must:
- Hold an EPA-issued licence as a ‘Transporter of Listed Waste’.
- Ensure waste is transported in compliance with safety standards to EPA-licensed landfills or transfer stations.
Guidelines for Domestic Removal and Transport
Friable Asbestos
- Professional Removal: Due to health risks, friable ACMs should only be removed by licensed asbestos removalists.
Non-friable Asbestos
Householders may choose to:
- Hire a licensed asbestos removalist.
- Self-remove and transport non-friable ACMs following stringent safety measures:
- Seal windows and doors to prevent asbestos dust spread.
- Wet asbestos cement before removal and maintain its moisture.
- Handle asbestos sheets carefully to minimize breakage.
- Wear disposable coveralls and approved respirators.
- Package asbestos in double-wrapped thick plastic or EPA-approved containers.
- Label all packages clearly.
- Transport to EPA-licensed disposal sites.
Procedures for Safe Handling and Disposal
Collection
- Protective Equipment: Workers must wear full-body disposable suits and respirators with asbestos filters.
- Wet Handling: Keep asbestos waste wet to prevent fiber release.
- Packaging: Use puncture-resistant, airtight polyethylene bags labeled with OSHA warnings. Double-bagging is recommended to ensure containment.
Packaging
- Sealing Bags: Twist, fold, and secure with duct tape. Wet wipe or HEPA vacuum the exterior before transfer.
- Fiber Drums: Place sealed bags into fiber drums with locking rims and appropriate warning labels.
Transportation
- Vehicle Requirements: Use enclosed vehicles with double-layered polyethylene flooring to contain any accidental releases.
- Loading: Secure drums on level surfaces and cover with polyethylene sheeting.
- Documentation: Accompany shipments with a chain-of-custody form or waste manifest detailing generator and disposal site information.
Disposal
- Licensed Landfills: Dispose of asbestos waste at EPA-approved landfills or transfer stations.
- Final Cover: Ensure asbestos waste is covered with at least 6 inches of compacted non-asbestos-containing soil or a dust-suppressing chemical within 24 hours of disposal.
- Compliance: Maintain “no visible emissions” during disposal processes.
Temporary Storage Solutions
Secure Storage
- Store asbestos waste in covered, labelled containers or skips, ensuring they are locked when not in use.
- For large volumes, use secured waste piles covered with tarpaulins to prevent fiber dispersion. Implement periodic air monitoring.
Packaging for Temporary Storage
- Use UN-approved packaging with visible hazard labels.
- Double-wrap asbestos waste using red inner bags and clear outer bags with CDG labels.
- Avoid breaking large asbestos pieces; instead, wrap them in polythene sheeting.
Waste Management Planning
Waste Management Plan (WMP)
A WMP should:
- Outline procedures for collection, transportation, storage, and disposal of asbestos waste.
- Assign responsibilities for each stage of the process.
- Establish standards to ensure safe handling and compliance with regulations.
Landfill Site Selection and Requirements
Site Criteria
- Location: Accessible, secure, and protected from natural disasters.
- Containment: Engineered to prevent water and wind erosion, with systems to manage leachate.
- Barriers: Install fencing, trenches, or other barriers to prevent unauthorized access.
- Closure: Final closure requires at least 75 cm of compacted non-asbestos material within 90 days of the last deposition.
Design Compliance
- Regulatory Standards: Adhere to the European Union Landfill Directive and national standards.
- Emission Protection: Ensure no visible emissions during and after disposal.
- Warning Signage: Post clear asbestos warning signs at all access points and around designated cells.
Training and Awareness
Mandatory Training
All personnel involved in asbestos handling and disposal must undergo asbestos awareness training, covering:
- Legal obligations and regulatory requirements.
- Protective measures and control strategies.
- Proper use and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Decontamination procedures for individuals and equipment.
- Emergency response protocols.
Supervisor Training
Supervisors should receive advanced training to oversee safe asbestos handling practices and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Ongoing Education
Regular training refreshers and on-site briefings are essential to maintain high safety standards and adapt to any procedural changes.
International Best Practices and Disposal Options
Disposal Options
- Do Nothing: Not recommended due to the risk of fiber dispersion and environmental contamination.
- Reuse and Recycling: Limited use; focus on maintaining ACMs to reduce exposure until disposal.
- Secure Landfills: Preferred method, ensuring proper containment and labeling.
- Sea Disposal: Allowed under strict international conventions, involving sealed containers to prevent fiber release.
- High-Temperature Transformation: Converts asbestos into harmless silicate glass, suitable for small-scale disposal.
International Guidelines
- Noumea and London Conventions: Regulate sea disposal, requiring containment and monitoring.
- NESHAP (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M): U.S. standards for asbestos disposal, emphasizing secure landfill practices.
Environmental Considerations
- Containment: Prevent fiber release through double packaging and secure transportation.
- Monitoring: Implement air quality monitoring in temporary storage and disposal sites.
- Documentation: Maintain comprehensive records of asbestos waste handling and disposal activities.
Conclusion
Effective asbestos handling and disposal require strict adherence to regulatory guidelines, comprehensive training, and meticulous planning. By following best practices outlined in this guide, organizations and individuals can minimize health risks, protect the environment, and ensure compliance with legal obligations. Proper management of asbestos waste is not only a regulatory requirement but also a critical responsibility to safeguard public health and environmental integrity.
References
- South Australia EPA Guidelines: “Wastes containing asbestos – removal, transport and disposal,” EPA 414/23, October 2023.
- University of Cincinnati Environmental Administration and Finance: “Advisory No. 3.5: Disposal of Asbestos Contaminated Waste Materials,” Rev. 05-08-98.
- International Best Practices: “Asbestos Handling and Disposal Guidelines,” Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), 2014.
- European Union Directives: EU Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and European Directive 1999/31/EC on landfill of waste.
For more detailed information and specific regional regulations, consult local environmental protection authorities and relevant governmental agencies.