ABSTRACT
Asbestos became a popular commercial product because it is strong, will burn, resists corrosion, and insulates well. Additional details on asbestos are available at: 28.2 Over the last 25 years, the US Environmental Protection Agency and several other federal agencies have acted to prevent unnecessary exposure to asbestos by prohibiting some uses and by setting exposure standards in the workplace. According to the EPA study, significantly damaged ACM is found primarily in building areas not generally accessible to the public, such as boiler and machinery rooms, where asbestos exposures generally would be limited to service and maintenance workers. Proper asbestos management begins with a comprehensive inspection by qualified, trained, and experienced inspectors, accredited through an EPA or state-approved training course. Asbestos in buildings has been commonly used for thermal insulation, fireproofing, and in various building materials, such as floor coverings and ceiling tile, cement pipe wrap, and acoustical and decorative treatment for ceilings and walls.
