Georgia Asbestos Rules

The Environmental Protection Division enforces several Rules which govern Georgia's asbestos abatement, licensing and disposal industry. The Rules, in their entirety, can be found at epd.georgia.gov/rules-and-laws; however, select requirements are outlined below:


Rules for Air Quality Control 

Chapter 391-3-1 incorporates and adopts the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), Asbestos Revision by reference; Final Rule; Effective November 20, 1990. The following excerpt provides the authority for regulating asbestos emission standards and work practices in Georgia:

Rule 391-3-1-.02(9)(b)7. Emission Standard for Asbestos (Including Work Practices): 40 CFR Part 61 (NESHAP), Subpart M (asbestos), as amended July 20, 2004, is hereby incorporated and adopted by reference.

Applicability: All owners and operators when buildings are public, commercial, industrial; two or more single family residences; a single family residence that is part of a public, commercial, or industrial project; or a multifamily structure with five or more units.

Basic Requirements: Accredited Asbestos Inspectors must perform thorough inspections for friable and non-friable asbestos-containing materials (ACM); notify EPD and remove all ACM that is friable or will become friable that is found at or above the trigger quantities; wet, package, and label the ACM before removal and keep wet until at disposal site; generate Waste Shipment Record; and notify EPD prior to demolition.  


Rules for Asbestos Removal and Encapsulation

Chapter 391-3-14 delineates the requirements for licensing asbestos abatement contractors, fees for abatement projects, project supervisor training requirements, licensing reciprocity, exemptions and enforcement. The following summary provides the authority for regulating asbestos abatement work:

Applicability: All contractors removing or disturbing more than 10 square or 10 linear feet of friable ACM in any type of building or structure.

Basic Requirements: All project supervisors and workers must be trained in approved asbestos training courses; the contractor must have a Georgia Asbestos Contractor License; contractor must submit a completed Project Notification to EPD before removing or disturbing more than the trigger quantities of friable ACM and pay the associated fee; and before and during work must wet and keep wet any ACMs that are or will become friable.


Rules for Solid Waste Management

Chapter 391-3-4 defines asbestos-containing waste and requirements for collection and disposal. The following excerpts provide the authority for regulating Asbestos-Containing Waste:

Rule 391-3-4.-01(5) "Asbestos-Containing Waste" means any solid waste containing more than 1 percent, by weight, of naturally occurring hydrated mineral silicates separable into commercially used fibers, specifically the asbestiform varieties of serpentine, chrysotile, cummingtonite-grunerite, amosite, riebeckite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite, using the method specified in Appendix A, Subpart F, 40 CFR part 763, Section 1.

Rule 391-3-4-.04(8) Asbestos Containing Waste.

(a) Collection. 

  1. Vehicles used for the transportation of containerized asbestos waste shall have an enclosed carrying compartment or utilize a covering sufficient to contain the transported waste, prevent damage to containers, and prevent release or spillage from the vehicle.
  2. Vehicles used to reduce waste volume by compaction shall not be used.
  3. Vacuum trucks used to transport waste slurry must be constructed and operated to ensure that liquids do not leak from the truck.

(b) Disposal.

  1. Asbestos containing waste is to be disposed of only in a permitted landfill or other facility authorized by the Division for acceptance of asbestos containing waste.
  2. Asbestos containing waste shall be sealed in leak-proof containers labeled with: "Caution - Contains Asbestos Fibers - Avoid Opening or Breaking Container - Breathing Asbestos is Hazardous to Your Health."
  3. Asbestos containing waste shall be disposed of in such a manner as not to destroy the integrity of the asbestos containing materials containers prior to the placement of cover material. This waste shall be completely covered immediately after deposition with a minimum of six (6) inches of non-asbestos material."

Applicability: All detached ACMs, both friable and non-friable, of any quantity from any type of building or structure. All owners and operators of the structures or land and those handling, transporting and disposing of the ACM.

Basic Requirements: All ACM must be collected, placed in leak-proof packaging, labeled, transported in an enclosed or tightly covered vehicle, and deposited in a landfill permitted to accept asbestos.