Asbestos Program

Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber that is mined from the Earth. It was used in many common building materials for its strength and durability, insulation properties, and fire resistance.

Today, asbestos materials look much different. Asbestos is found in many building materials, including but not limited to, drywall systems, textures, plasters, pipe insulation, metal air ducts, blown-in insulation, flooring, roofing, caulking, and sealant, inside boilers, pipe chases, and fireplaces.

Asbestos is hazardous to the environment and human health. Microscopic fibers are released into the air when the materials are disturbed. These fibers can enter the lungs when inhaled and can damage the lung tissue.

Most building materials that contain asbestos are usually not hazardous if they are in good condition and are not disturbed or touched. However, during general renovation/remodel or demolition work, these asbestos materials can be impacted and release asbestos fibers into the air.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Utah DAQ Asbestos Program is to protect human health and the environment from exposure to asbestos. This is accomplished by enforcing rules, regulations and work practices included in the Utah Asbestos Rule, Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).

The goals of the Asbestos Program are to educate the public, building owners, and contractors about asbestos and to ensure full compliance with the rules. Our team performs compliance inspections of demolition and asbestos abatement projects for which we have been notified, as well as general renovation/remodel projects. We respond to complaints from the public in a timely manner. We also provide educational initiatives or presentations as often as possible.

Asbestos Abatement/Renovation

Forms

Demolition

Forms

AHERA

Under the authority of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1986, the USEPA published the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools rule (AHERA rule) Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 763, Subpart E. The AHERA rule applies to all non-profit elementary and secondary schools nationwide, both public and private. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are responsible for ensuring compliance with the AHERA rule and are required, among other things, to develop and maintain an up-to-date AHERA asbestos management Plan (AAMP). Schools built after October 12, 1988, may submit a partial AHERA rule exclusion letter (exclusion letter), written by the architect in charge of the design of the school, the lead engineer in charge of the construction of the school, or a Utah certified asbestos inspector working for a Utah certified asbestos company which becomes the AAMP. All AAMPs and exclusion letters must be submitted to the Utah Division of Air Quality prior to the building being used as a school.

LEAs are also responsible for having a Designated Person to oversee asbestos-related activities in the school and ensure that the AHERA regulatory responsibilities of the LEA are met. Schools who submit an exclusion letter are also responsible for annual notifications to parent, teacher, and employee organizations of the availability of the AAMP or the exclusion letter.

Work Practices: Air Clearance Samples

The Utah Division of Air Quality asbestos program supports the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) sequence for analyzing air clearance samples that can be found in 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E, Appendix A(IV)(D). The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) expects certified asbestos inspectors to follow this sequence when determining the number of samples to analyze in order to complete a response action. If you have any questions, please contact ATLAS Section Manager Robert Ford: (801) 536-4451.

Certification

Forms

Notification Forms for Asbestos Projects and Demolitions

Individual Certification Forms

  • Citizenship Certification Form (106 KB)
    Proof of citizenship or legal residency status (i.e., drivers license, passport) must be attached. This form must be included with all initial certification applications for U.S. citizens (one time only). It must be included with all applications (including recertification) for all non-U.S. citizens with every certification application. Proof of resident alien status must be attached.
  • Asbestos Individual Certification Application Form(349 KB)

Company Certifications

Training Provider Notifications

Professional Asbestos Service Providers in Utah

State and Federal Rules

Asbestos Information and FAQ

FAQ

Contacts