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EE&G was retained by Capital Contractor Services to conduct final clearance air testing for the subject asbestos abatement project in Coral Gables, Florida. The project involved the removal of all asbestos-containing materials. The work was performed in accordance with the Federal, State and local regulation and under the supervision of EE&G’s Certified Occupational Safety Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) professionals.  As a Florida-licensed Asbestos Contractor, EE&G provided labor and materials to remove and dispose of the ACM.

EE&G determined the area’s need for asbestos abatement, the asbestos abatement procedure, government-issued permits, and assembly of products necessary for asbestos abatement, complete asbestos abatement process as well as a final Re-test for asbestos.

Timing

The asbestos air clearance is essential for commercial properties such as the Waterway Towers condominium North and South Ends, Coral Gables. The clearance was conducted immediately after the asbestos removal. It was conducted before the abatement containment was taken down to make sure that the potential release of fibers in the air was prevented.

Air Sample Testing

EE&G technicians collected three air samples in each work area upon completion and encapsulation daily. The samples were collected using high-volume air pumps to draw air through 25-millimeter (mm) diameter mixed cellulose ester filters with 0.8-micron diameter pores that were mounted in plastic cassettes with 50 mm anti-static cowls. Air samples were analyzed by Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) in accordance with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Method 7400 with results reported as fiber per cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) and compared to the United States EPA clean air standard of 0.010 f/cc of air.

Other Measures

The PCM analysis indicated that the fiber concentration for the air samples collected in these 24 distinct work areas was less than 0.007 f/cc, therefore, the results obtained by EE&G were below the EPA standards and indicated a “pass” for these areas. EE&G deemed this unit safe for construction trades and future occupants to reenter.

EE&G was retained by Tobias and Pearl Brown to conduct background clearance air testing at a residential property in Miami Beach, Florida. The clearance asbestos air monitoring measured the level of airborne asbestos fibers in the property following work or removal of all asbestos-containing materials.

Project

The project involved the removal of approximately 1,105 square feet of popcorn finish on the ceilings. Recently, some water impacted materials were remediated and some minor areas of ACM overspray were found and cleaned. This test will serve as baseline reading before final renovations and reoccupation took place.

Air samples

Air samples were analyzed in accordance with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7400 with results reported as fiber per cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) and compared to the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean air standard of 0.010 f/cc of air.

Phase Contrast Microscopy.

Phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) analysis (NIOSH method 7400) is a technique used for determinations of airborne particulate aerosols like dust characterizations, enumeration of airborne asbestos fibers or fungal spores and airborne mold fragments.

PCM analysis

The PCM analysis indicated that the fiber concentration for the five air samples collected in these areas was less than 0.004 f/cc. Therefore, the results obtained by EE&G were below the EPA standards and indicated a “pass” for these areas. EE&G deems this unit safe for construction trades and future occupants to reenter.

EE&G was retained by Broward County Parks Department to conduct remediation of water-damaged drywall, removal of asbestos flooring, post-remediation verification (PRV) and final clearance air testing for combined microbial remediation and asbestos abatement project located at the Markham Park – Fox Observatory Sunrise, Florida.

EE&G removed and disposed of water and mold-damaged gypsum board walls and ceiling, micro cleaned all surfaces, treated damaged plywood with an anti-microbial coating, removed asbestos floor tile, conducted a PRV consisting of a visual inspection and collection of air cell samples and finally collected five air samples and completed analysis by Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM). PCM is a method where the asbestos air cassette is analyzed by counting the fibers present on the cassette filter to determine if the levels are below the Environmental Protection Agency clearance level of 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc).

Clearance testing was conducted before the abatement containment was taken down to prevent the potential release of fibers in the air. Samples were analyzed by a third party laboratory using PCM in accordance with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health The process of asbestos clearance included visual inspection and air clearance testing. The visual inspection was used to see if the abatement contractor removed all of the materials that were requested. The results obtained by EE&G indicated the work area was cleared for re-occupancy.