FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                
November 25, 2008 (Reissue of information previously issued)

Asbestos and Fire Cleanup—Precautions
en español 

Note:  Additional information may be issued, check back here for updates. For more information contact Mike Broughton at 961-8872 or broughtonm@sbcapcd.org.

Also see Santa Barbara County Public Health Recommendations for Fire Cleanup (PDF files) in English, and en español

This fact sheet covers information about asbestos and about cleanup of asbestos-containing materials after a fire.

Key points:

-When houses and buildings burn, asbestos fibers can become airborne, creating a potentially hazardous situation. Cleanup can make conditions worse if not done properly.

-Asbestos is a carcinogen and respiratory hazard. Handling asbestos can be harmful to your health.

-The only way to determine if asbestos is present is to have a certified asbestos consultant test the material.

-It is best to use a licensed asbestos contractor using safe handling practices and proper safety equipment to remove known or suspected asbestos-containing materials.

-A survey by a certified asbestos consultant and/or site technician may be conducted to separate asbestos materials from other debris in order to reduce the amount of debris that needs to be disposed of as asbestos-containing waste, or to clear a site as non-hazardous. 

-Many buildings constructed before 1981 have regulated asbestos-containing materials. Regulated asbestos-containing material is any material that contains greater than 1% asbestos and is friable. Friable means it can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Some common examples are spray acoustic ceilings, acoustic tiles, various plasters, duct wrap, paper backing of linoleum, non-bituminous roofing felt, wallboard, joint compound (joint “mud”), and thermal insulation on pipes and boilers.

-Buildings constructed after 1981 may have less of these regulated materials, however, they may have asbestos bound up with cement, vinyl, asphalt, or some other type of hardening binder. Some examples of non-friable asbestos building products are transite (cement) siding, vinyl asbestos floor tiles, and asphalt roofing shingles. When these materials are burned, they may release asbestos fibers into the air, and the rubble from these materials should be considered as potentially containing friable asbestos.

-Where asbestos-containing materials are known or assumed to be present, the debris should be stabilized by wetting and covered with plastic sheeting until it is scheduled to be removed.  Wind-blown dry materials will release hazardous asbestos fibers.      

Download lists (PDF files) of certified Asbestos Consultants, and certified Asbestos Contractors, and see this page for additional information.                                            

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