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October 16, 1995 UEC Document No.: R-1659510A UEC Job No.: 165040-9510C Asbestos can cause disabling respiratory diseases and various types of cancers if its fibers are inhaled. Exposure to asbestos has been shown to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer of the stomach and colon. The potential for a product containing asbestos to release breathable fibers depends on its degree of friability. Fibrous or fluffy sprayed-on materials used for fireproofing, insulation, or sound proofing are considered to be friable, and readily release airborne fibers if disturbed. Materials such as vinyl-asbestos tile or roofing felts are considered non-friable and generally do not release airborne fibers unless subjected to sanding or sawing operations, which may occur during renovation or demolition. 1 .2 Definitions The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has categorized asbestos containing materials based on the following definitions: Category I Non-Friable Asbestos Containing Building Material (ACBM) - Asbestos- containing packings, gaskets, resilient floor covering and asphalt roofing products containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in Appendix A, Subpart F, 40 CFR Part 763, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy(PLM). Category 11 Non-Friable ACBM-Any non-friable asbestos containing material, excluding Category I non-friable ACBM, containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in Appendix A, Subpart F, 40 CFR Part 763, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy(PLM). Friable ACBM -Any material containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in Appendix A, Subpart F, 40 CFR Part 763, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) that when dry can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Regulated Asbestos Containing Building Material (RA CBM) - (a) Friable asbestos containing material, (b)Category I non-friable ACBM that has become friable, (c)Category I non-friable ACBM that will be or has been subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting or abrading, or(d)Category II ACBM that has a high probability of becoming or has become crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by the forces expected to act on the material in the course of demolition or renovation. The Cal-OSHA has established the following definition for Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBMs)with the intent of minimizing worker exposure to the hazards of asbestos: Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBMs) - Any manufactured construction material which contains more than one tenth of 1 percent asbestos by weight. 2