Guidance for Flood Victims Cleaning Up Asbestos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 3, 2008

VANCOUVER, Wash. - In light of the recent floods that ravaged southwest Washington, the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is making an effort to facilitate the clean-up process. If you own and reside in a single-family home, you are allowed to do your own asbestos removal during home renovation projects, but asbestos demolition and removal notification forms must be filed with the Southwest Clean Air Agency. Notification forms can be downloaded here, or faxed or mailed to anyone; these forms should be filled out then returned to by fax to 360-576-0925 or mailed to SWCAA at 11815 NE 99th Street, Suite 1294, Vancouver, WA 98682.

For residents affected by the recent floods, SWCAA is waiving some of the normal requirements of its Asbestos Regulation 476. Notification fees, 10-day waiting periods and inspection requirements will be waived if all Suspect Asbestos-Containing Materials (SACM) are handled and disposed of as if they do contain Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). The Southwest Clean Air Agency is also providing educational information, lists of SACM and 6 mil asbestos disposal bags free of charge at the main transfer station in Centralia and at the Doty, Boistfort and Adna Command Centers.

SWCAA is also waiving the typical fees and 10-day waiting period for commercial projects or residential projects done by a contractor. Demolition and removal notifications to SWCAA are still required for all asbestos removal projects. Asbestos removal contractors must be asbestos certified.

Common household items that may contain asbestos include heating system insulation and ductwork, spray-on "popcorn" ceilings, vinyl flooring, cement shake siding, plaster, ceiling tiles and a variety of other materials. Asbestos is a naturally occurring microscopic fiber that may become airborne when disturbed. These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs where they may cause significant health problems.

The mission of the Southwest Clean Air Agency, founded in 1968, is to preserve and enhance the air quality in southwest Washington. Serving the counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum, SWCAA is responsible for protecting the public's health through the enforcement of federal, state and local air quality standards and regulations.

For more information, please call the Southwest Clean Air Agency at 360-574-3058 or click here.

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For more information contact:

Gerald Strawn, Air Quality Scientist II
Southwest Clean Air Agency
(360) 574-3058, ext. 13

Kathy Finkle, Public Information Specialist
Southwest Clean Air Agency
(360) 574-3058, ext. 39