FAQs - Asbestos

Frequently-asked Questions about Asbestos

Q:  I am worried there might be asbestos in my home? How can I tell?

A:  Asbestos is only a concern if it is disturbed—that’s when fibers are released into the air. This could occur during a remodel or repair project. The only way to know for sure is to have the material tested. If you are planning a renovation, and doing the work yourself, you may perform your own survey of the structure to determine if it may have suspect asbestos-containing materials. Click here to access "Need an Asbestos Survey?" fact sheet and other asbestos publications.

You should have suspect materials tested for asbestos prior to renovation by submitting a sample for lab analysis (vermiculite insulation is an exception). Labs are listed in the yellow pages under "Asbestos—Consulting and Testing." Ask a laboratory technician to instruct you how to properly obtain a sample. Please contact us for further information, or click here.

Q: I meet the criteria of an Owner-Occupied, Single-Family Residence. Prior to my renovation/demolition, do I need a certified AHERA building inspector to inspect the structure?

A:  For demolition, yes. For renovation, no—however, there are specific work practices and disposal requirements you must comply with. Contact Spokane Clean Air for further information. Important: Please note that if anyone other than the homeowner will be doing renovation work, the survey must be performed by a certified AHERA building inspector.

Q: How can you tell if a suspect material contains asbestos?

A: Laboratory testing is the only way to know if a material contains asbestos. If your project qualifies as an owner-occupied, single-family residence, you as the resident homeowner can submit a sample for testing. Local labs charge around $25 per sample. You can also send your sample to an accredited lab, with prices varying between $6 - $25, depending upon the turnaround time. A listing of out-of-town accredited laboratories can be found here.

If your project does not qualify as a owner-occupied, single-family residence, then only an AHERA-certified inspector may take a sample and have it tested.

Also, please click here to learn about Friable Asbestos Materials from Facilities Containing less than or equal to 1% or Trace Amounts of Asbestos.

Q:  Asbestos was found in my home that I plan to have demolished, can I remove the asbestos myself?

A: Yes, however, there are specific work practices and disposal requirements. Please contact Spokane Clean Air for further information. Click here to access "Renovation, Demolition and Asbestos" fact sheet and other asbestos-related publications.

Q: I have vermiculite insulation in my attic. Should I remove it?

A: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends it be left alone. Avoid using your attic for occupancy and storage. If you must use your attic, limit the trips to it. If you are planning a remodel, never attempt to remove asbestos vermiculite insulation yourself. For more information, visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/asbestos.

Q: When do I have to file a notification with Spokane Clean Air?

A: Click here for details. 

Q: What is an asbestos project?

A:  It is any activity involving the abatement, renovation, demolition, removal, salvage, clean-up, or disposal of asbestos-containing material (ACM) or any other action or inaction that disturbs or is likely to disturb any ACM. It includes the removal and disposal of ACM or asbestos-containing waste material. It does not include the application of duct tape, rewettable glass cloth, canvas, cement, paint, or other non-asbestos materials to seal or fill exposed areas where asbestos fibers may be released nor does it include nonfriable asbestos containing roofing material that will not be rendered friable.

Q: What is an asbestos survey?

A: Asbestos Survey means a written report resulting from a thorough inspection performed pursuant to Section 9.03 of this regulation.

Q: Who is responsible to have the asbestos survey done?

A: Any person causing or allowing renovation or demolition (e.g. property owners/managers, lessors, tenants, contractors, workers, and other involved parties) pursuant to The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Regulation I, Article IX, Section 9.03.

Q: Do I still need a survey if the building I am working on is only a few years old?

A: Yes. There is no cut-off date when it is safe to assume that asbestos is not present in building materials. If your building was certified to be built asbestos-free, then this certification may be used as supporting documentation by the AHERA building inspector performing the survey. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 9 thousand metric tons of asbestos were used in roofing products in the U.S. as recent as the year 2000.

Q: Can I, the contractor, take samples of materials to a laboratory to determine asbestos content?

A: Only if you are also an AHERA certified asbestos inspector.

Q: Can I treat materials as asbestos-containing, instead of paying to get a survey?

A: If an asbestos survey is not conducted, building materials that will or may be disturbed must be assumed to contain asbestos. Handling asbestos-containing material must be performed by properly trained and certified asbestos workers and supervised by a Washington State certified asbestos supervisor.

In addition to the training and certification requirements, people handling asbestos would be subject to other regulatory requirements, such as hazard communication, medical exams, and other worker protection issues. Check with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for these additional requirements. Although you can assume that materials contain asbestos and follow all asbestos-related requirements, you can never assume building materials do not contain asbestos.