Asbestos Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to receive my asbestos contractor's license? Roughly four weeks for initial licenses and two weeks for renewals.
What do I do if I think my home may contain asbestos? You need to hire a professional asbestos inspector who has current training from an EPA-accredited training provider. See EPA’s website for more information.
Do I need an asbestos inspection? Yes, for demolition projects. You also need an inspection for a renovation or abatement, unless all material is presumed to be asbestos-containing and is handled as such. You cannot presume the material does not contain asbestos.
What is the difference between an asbestos inspector and an asbestos abatement contractor? An asbestos inspector is a trained/accredited professional who inspects a home or building for asbestos-containing material. These inspections include visual and physical assessments and collecting samples of suspected materials for testing. An inspector should provide you a written report that includes the laboratory results identifying what materials, if any, contain asbestos.
The inspector may also tell you what corrections are needed and, if repair or removal of asbestos materials is performed, he or she can ensure the asbestos abatement contractor has followed proper procedures, including during cleanup, and can monitor the air to ensure no increase in asbestos fibers.
An asbestos abatement contractor repairs or removes asbestos materials. To avoid a conflict of interest, the asbestos inspector should not be affiliated with the asbestos abatement contractor.
Does Georgia EPD license asbestos inspectors? No, EPD does not license professional asbestos inspectors; however, inspectors must have current training from an EPA-accredited training provider. EPD does license asbestos abatement contractor firms. Ask to see proof of accreditation and completion of federal- or state-approved training.
How do I become an asbestos abatement contractor in Georgia?
- Apply through the Georgia EPD Online System (GEOS).
- Assign a primary agent who has supervisor training consisting of an initial 40-hour course from a training provider accredited through EPD or EPA. The training must have been completed within 48 months of applying. If applicable, an annual, eight-hour refresher course must have been completed within 12 months of completing the previous training. The primary agent should have supervised three completed and documented friable ACM removal projects. Provide a NESHAP or state project notification form; air sampling reports, including final clearance, if performed; waste shipment records; daily sign-in sheets listing the primary agent as the supervisor, if the agent’s name was not documented as the project's supervisor.
- Submit a manual that addresses standard operating procedures, including (at a minimum):
- Type of protective clothing, respirators and safety equipment to be used
- Personal decontamination procedures
- Process to ensure all workers and supervisors maintain appropriate asbestos and safety training
- Procedure for removal and/or encapsulation/enclosure
- Procedure for collection and disposal of asbestos-containing waste
- Procedure for final cleanup and visual inspections
Does a company or individual performing asbestos abatement need to be Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) certified? Yes, if working on target (pre-1978) housing or child-occupied facilities.
What is friable asbestos-containing material (ACM)? Any material containing more than one percent asbestos, as determined by polarized light microscopy, that when dry can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure (also see definition of RACM below).
What are the different categories of asbestos-containing materials? Category I consists of non-friable flooring, floor mastics, asphalt roofing products, packings, and gaskets. Category II consists of all remaining types of non-friable ACM not included in Category I that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. It also includes non-friable asbestos cement products such as transite, window glazing, floor leveling compound, and all other mastics.
What is regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM)? Friable asbestos material; Category I non-friable ACM that has become friable; Category I non-friable ACM that will become friable or has been subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting, or abrading; and Category II non-friable ACM that has a high probability of becoming, or has become crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by forces expected to act on the material in the course of demolition or renovation operations.
What are asbestos removal fees? The fee structure only applies to asbestos abatement projects where a notice must be filed. The fees must be included with the notification. The fee is $0.10 per square foot of friable asbestos-containing materials, plus $0.10 per linear foot of friable asbestos-containing materials, with a minimum of $25 for any project. The fee is not to exceed $50 for any small project or residential dwelling project, nor exceed $1,000 for any other project.
What is considered demolition? The wrecking or removal of any load-supporting structural member of a facility, together with any related handling operations or the intentional burning of a facility. Prior to beginning the demolition or renovation, the owners and/or operators must thoroughly inspect the affected facility, or the part of the facility where the demolition/renovation operation will occur, for the presence of friable and non-friable asbestos, including Category I and II non-friable ACM.
What are the demolition project notification regulations? All demolition projects are subject to the project notification regulations, regardless if ACM is present or not. All residential structures/apartments are required to notify if the demolition is part of a larger project, such as a department of transportation road project, commercial or industrial development, or urban renewal project. Residential buildings at one location planned for demolition at the same time, or as part of the same planning or scheduling period, that are under the control of the same owner or operator, are considered part of the same project and subject to notification requirements. Legal owners or residences where four or fewer dwelling units are involved, unless part of a larger project (see above), are exempt from demolition project notification requirements. All resulting demolition waste that contains ACM must be handled as asbestos-containing material and disposed of at a permitted landfill.
What is a renovation or abatement project? Under Georgia regulations, any project involving 10 or more continuous linear feet or 10 or more square feet of friable ACM requires submitting a project notification and paying the associated fees.
What is considered an “emergency” in regards to project notifications? An abatement, renovation, and/or encapsulation project resulting from a sudden, unexpected event that, if not immediately addressed, presents a safety or public health hazard, is necessary to protect equipment from damage, or is necessary to avoid imposing an unreasonable financial burden. EPD no longer grants emergency waivers for the project notification period.
If it is a NESHAP project, contact EPA Region 4. If it is not a NESHAP project, attach a letter of explanation to the project notification and proceed with the project.
Notification of the emergency situation should be submitted to EPD within 24 hours from the time of its occurrence, or from the time you are contacted with a request for emergency work to be performed. A letter from the owner of the project, or his or her representative, explaining the emergency situation must accompany the notification.