DEQ Observes Global Asbestos Awareness Week

• Kevin Stone
• March 30 2022

HELENA- The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is observing Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) April 1-7, 2022. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and there is no safe level of exposure. GAAW focuses on educating people about both the risks of asbestos and how to manage it to prevent asbestos-caused diseases. DEQ’s Asbestos Control Program was established in 1989 to govern facilities renovation and demolition activities, asbestos disposal, approval of training providers, issue accreditation for qualifying asbestos professionals and other asbestos-related activities.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals made of long, thin microscopic fibers. Asbestos is used in thousands of materials and products because of its unique properties, including high tensile strength, flexibility, acoustic properties, and resistance to thermal, chemical and electrical conditions. If inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

To reduce exposure to asbestos, DEQ requires all renovations or demolitions in commercial or public structures to have impacted building materials inspected by an accredited Montana asbestos inspector before work takes place. An asbestos project permit application must be submitted to DEQ 10 working days prior to planned renovation if regulated asbestos containing materials are discovered, or if demolition activities will impact structural components of a building such as the floors, walls, or roof. Permitting is required when greater than 10 square feet, three linear feet, or three cubic feet of regulated asbestos containing material will be disturbed. The work must be performed by Montana accredited professionals approved by DEQ to engage in an asbestos related occupation. Residential properties may be subject to an exemption, but DEQ recommends that homeowners hire qualified Montana accredited asbestos professionals to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure.

DEQ will observe GAAW by providing information to Montanans about the Asbestos Control Program, where asbestos could be encountered and the potential health impacts of asbestos exposure.

Follow along on social media at @MTDEQ on Facebook and Twitter @MontanaDEQ on Instagram to learn more about the risks associated with asbestos and how to avoid them.