-11-
construction activities involving asbestos-containing materials is
0.01 fiber per cubic centimeter of air.
Asbestos removal must be performed by specially trained
professionals wearing protective clothing and respirators. The
work area must be properly contained to prevent release of fibers
into other areas. Containment typically requires barriers of
polyethylene plastic sheets with folded seams, complete with air
locks and negative air pressure systems. Asbestos-containing
materials that are removed must be wetted to reduce fiber release.
Once removed, the materials must be disposed of in leak-tight
containers in special landfills.
E. Testing at the Douglas Street Building and Decision To
Remove Asbestos-Containing Materials
In October 1985, petitioner's general liability and property
damage insurer, the St. Paul Property and Liability Insurance Co.
(St. Paul), tested a bulk sample of fire-retardant material from
the Douglas Street building's steel I-beams to determine whether
the building contained asbestos. The results indicated that the
material contained 8 to 10 percent chrysotile asbestos, the most
common type of asbestos.
Petitioner obtained its umbrella insurance policies through
Marsh & McLennan, which provided coverage over and above the St.
Paul policies. In January 1987, at Marsh & McLennan's request,
Clayton Environmental Consultants, Inc. (Clayton), conducted more
extensive testing for the presence of asbestos at Norwest
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