Asbestos Management
General Information
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber with high tensile strength, flexibility and resistance to thermal, chemical, and electrical conditions. It is most commonly used as a fire retardant and for thermal insulation. These qualities make asbestos an excellent building material. Asbestos building materials which are commonly encountered include: pipe, duct and boiler insulation; floor tile and sheet flooring and commercial adhesives; vapor barriers and concrete coatings; joint compounds and plasters.
Asbestos is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The Dartmouth Asbestos Policy complies with: OSHA Title 29 CFR Part 1910.1001 "General Industry", OSHA Title 29 CFR Part 1926.1101 "Construction Standard", EPA NESHAP 61.145 and 61.150, EPA Worker Protection Rule, State of NH Air Resources and Waste Management divisions.
Asbestos is clearly recognized as having the ability to cause health and environmental harm. However, there is significant data and risk assessments to show that properly managed and intact asbestos containing materials do not present a significant health risk to building occupants. Dartmouth will use a comprehensive approach to managing materials in place unless there is a need to disturb them. Renovation or demolition work will require removal of any asbestos containing materials to be conducted by approved methods based on the requirements outlined by the EPA, OSHA and State of NH.
The Dartmouth College Facility Environmental Program (FEP) encompasses a number of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards as well as OSHA Construction Standards (29CFR1926). The program provides focused support services in building design, construction, renovation, and maintenance.