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P.O. Box 1147 | Atkinson, NH 03811 | [P] 603 642-9200
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ASBESTOS IN YOUR BACKYARD | |
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Asbestos in Your Backyard How to Identify and Manage Asbestos Waste on Your Property What is asbestos? Asbestos is the common name for a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers that are known for their high tensile strength and thermal insulating properties. It is commonly found in a variety of building construction materials and products. Why is asbestos a problem? When asbestos is disturbed, it can break down into microscopic fibers that may become airborne. Once airborne, these fibers can be inhaled and trapped in the lungs, posing a health threat. Breathing asbestos can cause respiratory diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the chest cavity lining. Disturbing asbestos material during activities such as landscaping, digging, excavating and gardening can expose you and your family to asbestos fibers by releasing them into the air or by contaminating clothing and equipment. That’s why it is important not to disturb the material further if you discover exposed asbestos. No safe level of asbestos exposure has been established. What does asbestos waste look like? Asbestos waste comes in a variety of forms, including pellets, spheres, whole sheets and scrape/fragments of sheets resembling “cement board.” It may be gray, white, black, green or red in color. After being in the soil for many years, it has a tendency to blend with its surroundings and can be hard to distinguish from clean soil, rocks or cement. “Baghouse” waste, which is fine, dust-like material, can look like loam or fertile soil. What do I do when I find asbestos waste? Do not disturb the material! Report the finding to your local health officer, who can provide further guidance. How did asbestos get on my property? Asbestos-containing materials, textiles and paper products were manufactured in New Hampshire with facilities located in Nashua, Meredith and Tilton. The Johns-Mansville Corporation located in Nashua provided property owners asbestos waste as “free fill.” As a result, many residential, commercial, industrial and public properties throughout Nashua and Hudson were filled with asbestos waste. The waste mab be present on the ground surface or buried. If you are not the original owner, asbestos waste may be buried without your knowing. Buried asbestos can be worked to the ground surface and exposed through frost action, erosion or other activites. How Many sites in New Hampshire are contaminated with asbestos waste? To date, 350 sites have been identified in New Hampshire that contain asbestos waste, and each year new sites are discovered. The Department of Environmental Services maintains a listing of all known asbestos contaminated sites. A list of these sites can be viewed at www2.des.state.nh.us/gis/onestop/. What assistance is available? DES has the authority to assist in the proper management of asbestos waste on your property, as established by Env-Wm3900. DES also provides certification/licensing to workers and contractors to enable them to investigate and remove or cover asbestos waste from your property. In addition, DES provides periodic awareness training and education to property owners so that they can better identify and manage asbestos waste. DES will work with you, the local health officer, and certified/licensed contractors to ensure that any asbestos waste discovered on your property does not present a health or environmental hazard. For More Information Asbestos Disposal Site Program Waste Management Division NH Department of Environmental Services PO Box 95 Concord, NH 03302-0095 (603) 271-7376 www.des.nh.gov/sw/asbestos_1.htm Asbestos Management & Control Program Air Resources Division NH Department of Environmental Services PO Box 95 Concord, NH 03302-0095 (603) 271-1370 www.des.nh.gov/ard/asbestos.htm ©2003 Environmental Compliance Specialists, Incorporated P.O. Box 1147 | Atkinson, NH 03811 | [P] 603 642-9200 | [F] 603 642-9223
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