Asbestos in roofing

[Guest guest]

Bob/Ma

For the most part, asbestos in roofing products is well coated in asphaltic

materials and does not get airborne in significant concentrations to be of

concern. This is also why many states allow roofing contractors to remove

asbestos-containing roofing materials without being a full-fledged asbestos

abatement contractor. It makes a lot of sense. The roofing system has to

be sooooo terribly weathered to release asbestos fibers that its ability to

shed water is long past. This said, I have been on several roofs in Arizona

that I first thought were sprayed white (a lot of roof systems in Arizona

are colored white) only to find out once I got on my hands and knees that I

was looking at a layer of pure asbestos fiber ­ all the hydrocarbons had

evaporated away. Once known, I specified it being removed as a fribale,

class I asbestos waste, and on two occasions I was over-ruled. Arizona

allows asbestos-containing roofing material to be categorized as a Special

Waste and removed and disposed of without special precautions, and this is

what the building owner was talked-into by others trying to save a buck. I

will not mention who it was, but a municipality was paying the bill and

wanted to save $$$. Go figure... Q¹s privately-owned building would not

be allowed the same luxury! However, back to the original thread, in my

experience, most of the time asbestos-containing roofing products represent

minimal hazard and minimal risk.

For what it is worth....

--

Geyer, PE, CIH, CSP

President

KERNTEC Industries, Inc.

Bakersfield, California

www.kerntecindustries.com

>

>

> Jeff,

>

> That¹s very good advice!! I wish we could shout it out loud. Many consultants,

> as well the general public, do not understand nor are they aware that the roof

> shingles may contain asbestos. Some of these roofs have 2-3 and some 4 layers.

> Jeff how many roofs do you think are being removed and/or replaced yet the

> roofing contractor nor their help are aware the shingles contain asbestos?

>

> Bob/Ma.

>

>

> From: iequality [mailto:iequality ] On Behalf

> Of Jeff May

> Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 6:26 PM

> To: iequality

> Subject: Re: San Diego Realtor looking for asbestos removal

> referral

>

>

> Sharon,

>

> Just a few warnings.

>

> If the shingles are very worn, rain may have washed asbestos into the

> gutters and soil around the structure.

>

> A home that I am familiar with was " tented " in order to contain the asbestos

> during the roof shingle removal. Somehow, either windows were left open or

> the house was negatively presurized, but in either case, asbestos

> contaminated the entire interior house after the " remediation. "

>

> So take care!!

>

> C. May, M.A., CIAQP

> May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

> 1522 Cambridge Street

> Cambridge, MA 02139

>

> www.mayindoorair.com

> www.myhouseiskillingme.com

>

> snk1955@... <mailto:snk1955%40aol.com> writes:

>

>> >

>> > Has anyone had a good experience with an asbestos removal company? We have

>> > a roof that contains asbestos and must be removed and properly disposed of.

>> > Any insights would be most appreciated. Thanks.

>> >

>> >

>> > ____________________________________