Acoustical Insulation
The general application or use of asbestos for the control of sound due to its lack of reverberant surfaces
Acoustical Tile
... [Show More] A finishing material in a building usually found in the ceiling or walls for the purpose of noise control
Actinolite
One of the six naturally occurring asbestos minerals. It is not normally used commercially.
addenda (n)
Changes made to working drawings and specifications for a building before the work is bid
AHERA
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act U.S. EPA (for schools)
Algorithm
A formal numerical procedure for assessing suspect material; results are given a numerical score
Alveoli
Located in clusters around the respiratory bronchioles of the lungs, this is the area in which true respiration takes place; the place where asbestosis attacks
Amosite
An asbestiform mineral of the amphibole group. It is the second most commonly used form of asbestos in the US. Also known as brown asbestos
Amphibole
One of the two major groups of minerals from which the asbestiform minerals are derived - distinguished by their chain-like crystal structure and chemical composition. Amosite and crocidolite are examples of amphibole minerals
Anthophyllite
One of six naturally occurring asbestos minerals. It is of limited commercial value.
Asbestos bodies
Coated asbestos fibers often seen in the lungs of asbestos-exposure victims
Asbestos
A generic name given to a number of naturally occurring hydrating mineral silicates that possess a unique crystalline structure, are incombustible in air, and are separable into fibers. Asbestos includes the asbestiform varieties of chrysotile (serpentine); crocidolite (riebeckite); amosite (cummington-grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite, and actinolite
Asbestos-Containing Building Material
Surfacing ACM, thermal system insulation ACM, or miscellaneous ACM that is found in or on interior structural members or other parts of a school building (AHERA definition)
Asbestos-Containing Material
Any material or product which contains more than 1 percent asbestos (AHERA, OSHA definition)
Asbestiosis
A non-malignant, progressive, irreversible lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust and characterized by diffuse fibrosis
ASHARA
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization US EPA regulation enacted November 28, 1992 which extended accreditation requirements for inspectors, contractor/supervisors, designers, and workers to public and commercial buildings
Breeching
A duct which transports combustion gases from a boiler to a chimney or stack. Also called a flue
Building Inspector
A person who conducts a survey of a building for the presence of asbestos-containing materials. Must be accredited under AHERA and ASHARA regulations
Bulk Sample
Sample of bulk material; in the case of asbestos, suspect material
Category I Nonfriable ACM
Asbestos-containing packing, gaskets, resilient floor covering and asphalt roofing products containing more than 1% asbestos
Category II Nonfriable ACM
Any material excluding category I Nonfriable ACM, containing more than 1% asbestos that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure (example: asbestos/cement products)
Cementitious ACM
Asbestos-containing materials that are densely packed, granular and are generally nonfriable
Chain-of custody
Formal procedures for tracking samples and insuring their integrity
Change Order
A change to construction documents after a contract for construction has been assigned
Chrysotile
The only asbestiform mineral of the serpentine group. It is the most common known form of asbestos used in buildings. Also known as white asbestos
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
An industrial hygienist who has been granted certification by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene
Cilia
Tiny hair-like structures in the windpipe and bronchi of the lung passages which beat upward and that help force undesirable particles, fibers and liquids up and out of the lungs
Claims-made insurance
A form of insurance in which a claim is allowed only if the insurance is in effect when the claim is made, that is, when the injury or effect is observed
Contract documents
Legally binding building drawings and specifications. Also called construction documents
Crocidolite
The strongest of the asbestos minerals. An asbestiform mineral of the amphibole group. It is of minor commercial value in the US. Blue asbestos
Damaged Friable Surfacing (Miscellaneous) Material
Friable surfacing (misc.) ACM which has deteriorated or sustained physical injury such that the internal structure (cohesion) of the material is inadequate or which for any other reason lacks fiber cohesion or adhesion qualities. Such damage or deterioration may be illustrated by the separation of ACM into layers; separation of ACM from the substrate; flaking, blistering, or crumbling of ACM surface; water damage; significant or repeated water stains, scrapes, gauges, mars or other signs of physical injury on the ACM. Asbestos debris originating from the ACBM in question may also indicate damage (AHERA definition)
Damaged or Significantly Damaged Thermal System Insulation
Thermal system Insulation on pipes, boilers, tanks, ducts, and other thermal system Insulation equipment which has lost its structural integrity, or whose covering, in whole or in part, is crushed, water-stained, gouged, punctured, missing, or not intact such that it is not able to contain fibers. Damage may be further illustrated by occasional punctures, gouges, or other signs of physical injury to ACM; occasional water damage on the protective coverings/jackets; or exposed ACM end or joints. Asbestos debris, originating from the ACBM in question may also indicate damage (AHERA definition)
Dose-Response Effect
The relationship between the amount of pollutant a person is exposed to (dose) and the increase risk of disease (effect). Usually the greater the dose, the greater the effect
Electrical Systems
The system of wires, lights, power generation equipment, and related facilities to produce, convey, and utilize electrical power in a building.
Encapsulation
The use of an agent to seal the surface (bridging encapsulant) or penetrate the bulk (penetrating encapsulant) of ACM
Epidemiology
The study of causes, occurrence and distribution of disease throughout a population
errors and omissions insurance
A type of insurance which protects professionals for mistakes they may make in contracted plans and recommendations
Excursion Limit
A level of airborne fibers specified by OSHA as a short term excursion level. It is currently 1.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air, 30 minute time-weighted average, as measured by phase contrast microscopy
f/cc
Fibers per cubic centimeters of air
Fireproofing
Spray- or trowel-applied fire resistant materials
Friable
Any materials that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry
Functional Spaces
Specially distinct units within a building which contain identifiable populations of building occupants
General Liability Insurance
A type of insurance which covers the insured for damage to property and person caused by his or her own negligence
Hazard Assessment
The interpretation of evaluation of physical assessment data in order to set abatement priorities and rank areas for response actions. These priorities and rankings are based on anticipated exposure to asbestos fibers
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
The system of pipes, ducts, and equipment (air conditioners, chillers, heaters, boilers, pumps, fans) used to heat, cool, move and filter air in a building HVAC systems are also known as mechanical systems
high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
A type of filter which is 99.97% efficient at filtering particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter
Homogeneous sampling area
An area of ACBM or suspect ACBM which appears similar throughout in terms of color, texture, and date of material application
Indemnify
To pay for or pay back. Indemnification clauses in contracts are intended to cover the cost of judgements and/or legal defenses in the event of litigation
Industrial Hygienist
A professional qualified by education, training, and experience to recognize, evaluate, and develop controls for occupational health hazards
Latency period
The time between first exposure to a disease -causing agent and the appearance of the disease
Liability
Being subject to legal action for one's behavior
Local Education Agency (LEA)
Authority responsible for complying with AHERA. as defined in section 198 of the elementary and secondary education act of 1965.
Lung cancer
A malignant growth of abnormal cells in the lungs, specifically of the bronchi covering.
Macrophage
White blood cells which attack foreign substances in the body. The release of enzymes from these cells as they attack undigestible particles, such as asbestos, contributes to the creation of scar tissue in the lung
Management plan
A plan for each LEA to control and manage ACBM (AHERA definition). Must be prepared by an EPA or state accredited management planner
Management planner
An individual that has completed an EPA or state approved course and passed an examination covering the development of management plans
Mechanical systems
See HVAC systems
Mesothelioma
A relatively rare form of cancer which develops in the lining of the pleura or peritoneum with no known cure. It is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos
Micrometer
one millionth of a meter [Show Less]
