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be removed from commercial office buildings if they could be
controlled in place. Nevertheless, building owners had to take
precautions against the release of asbestos fibers.
The presence of asbestos in a building does not necessarily
endanger the health of building occupants. The danger arises when
asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, thereby
releasing asbestos fibers into the air (when they can be inhaled).
The Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), has established standards and guidelines for
permissible levels of employee exposure to asbestos. Effective
July 21, 1986, the permissible exposure limit for employees was 0.2
fiber (longer than 5 micrometers) per cubic centimeter of air,
determined on the basis of an 8-hour time-weighted average. At
half of the permissible exposure limit (0.1 fiber per cubic
centimeter of air), employers are required to begin compliance
activities such as air monitoring, employee training, and medical
surveillance.
Moreover, the EPA has established standards and guidelines for
the general public's exposure to asbestos.2 The EPA-recommended
guideline for general occupancy and clearance of a building after
2 In assessing the potential for fiber release, the EPA
in 1985 recommended evaluating the current condition of asbestos-
containing materials based on evidence of: (1) Deterioration or
delamination; (2) physical damage (e.g., the presence of debris);
and (3) water damage as well as the potential for future
disturbance (based on proximity to air plenum or direct air
stream, visibility, accessibility and degree of activity, as well
as change in building use).
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