Asbestos
The term “asbestos” identifies a group of mineral substances that share a common, physical characteristic rather than a common chemical composition. These minerals occur naturally in rock and soil and are made up of long, thin, and fibrous crystals. These fibers are so small that a microscope is required to see them.
When left intact and undisturbed, asbestos-containing materials do not pose a health risk to building occupants. There is a potential for exposure only when the material becomes damaged to the extent that asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled. Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during demolition work, building maintenance, repair, and remodeling. In general, exposure may occur only when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air.
Inhaling or ingesting asbestos causes fibers to become trapped in the body. Because of their long, thin shape, human immune cells cannot successfully remove them, so the trapped asbestos fibers can cause inflammation, scarring, and cancer over decades of exposure. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos also causes a progressive lung disease called asbestosis.
Asbestos fibers are almost indestructible by common agents. The fibers are both heat- and chemical-resistant, are excellent thermal and noise insulators, and are resistant to the effects of friction. Asbestos is still found across the country in buildings, roads, homes, schools, factories, ships, trains, and automobiles. A surprising number of products are still made with asbestos, including automobile brakes and clutches, roofing materials, and gaskets. Though a total ban on chrysotile asbestos was finalized in March 2024, companies will be allowed to continue using the mineral in manufacturing processes for another 12 years as the material is phased out.
Asbestos Dos and Don’ts
DO:
- Avoid touching or disturbing ceilings and walls covered with asbestos materials
- Report all damage to suspected asbestos-containing materials to your supervisor
- Contact UTD Occupational Health & Safety for guidance
DON’T:
- Drill, nail, pin, sand, or otherwise disturb or create “friable” asbestos on building materials suspected to contain asbestos
- Brush, sweep, or scrub ceilings or walls covered with asbestos materials
- Wear a dust mask/N95 and think you are protected from asbestos; these types of masks are not effective
- Attempt to abate asbestos without a license
How UTD Handles Asbestos
Operations & Maintenance (O&M)
examples: installing new light fixtures, replacing water fountains, drilling holes in walls to mount heavy items
- Annual notification filed with Texas DSHS for projects less than 160 square feet or less than 260 linear feet
- Records kept of all areas/materials on campus that have been tested and/or abated for at least 30 years
- Work orders for projects involving potential asbestos exposure and/or removal coordinate with UTD Occupational Health & Safety for records checks, testing, and/or abatement
- Asbestos testing and abatement are contracted to specialized third-party vendors
- Any area/material that has not been tested or has a written declaration to be free of asbestos from an architect or certified professional engineer is assumed to contain asbestos until proven otherwise
Construction & Engineering
examples: laboratory build-outs, office renovations, other projects that fall under UTD Managed Projects
- Depending on the estimated scope, abatement projects could fall under the O&M notification or be required to file a separate 10-day notification with Texas DSHS
- Records kept of all areas/materials on campus that have been tested and/or abated for at least 30 years
- Projects involving potential asbestos exposure and/or removal coordinate with UTD Occupational Health & Safety for records checks
- Asbestos testing and abatement are contracted to specialized third-party vendors in coordination with UTD Construction, Engineering, & Planning team and general contractors
Capital Projects
examples: whole-building renovations, large infrastructure upgrades, other projects that fall under OCP Managed Projects
- Projects of this size and scope are required to file a separate 10-day notification with Texas DSHS
- Records kept of all areas/materials on campus that have been tested and/or abated for at least 30 years
- Projects involving potential asbestos exposure and/or removal coordinate with UTD Occupational Health & Safety for records checks
- Asbestos testing and abatement are contracted to specialized third-party vendors in coordination with the Office of Facilities Planning & Construction through the UT System