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Iowa Asbestos Abatement Procedure


The Iowa Department of Environmental Management sets the Iowa asbestos abatement procedure in accordance with state and federal law.  This organization handles notification, disposal and licensing of individuals allowed to engage in asbestos abatement.  All demolition and renovation on structures that are not residential homes will need to be approved through the IDEM regardless of if they are considered asbestos free.

Who may remove asbestos in Iowa?

The Iowa Workforce Development will be the state government authority that authorizes workers, contractors, and inspectors to work with and identify asbestos contamination.  Only these individuals may do so as they have taken the applicable courses and demonstrated sufficient proficiency to guarantee they will not cause undue contamination and other issues.  The IWD will follow the standards set by the OHSA to ensure that all that potentially work with asbestos remain aware of the risks of the occupation and will exercise due diligence in using safety equipment,

What are emergency conditions?

Any major fiber release episode or visible fiber emission will be enough to qualify the situation as an emergency.  When this occurs, the permit to perform asbestos abatement procedures is expedited by the state.  This prevents further contamination.  This also applies to natural disasters and the potential for asbestos to be exposed after any event that sufficiently damages structures.

Proper Iowa asbestos abatement procedure

Only laboratory testing can tell for sure if there is the presence of asbestos in the absence of intact, friable blocks of asbestos.  An asbestos inspector may be able to identify certain brands and materials in the house that contain these fibers, but generally samples are taken to determine if there is a risk from friable or materials that may become friable to the health of others.

Typically, any friable material that is removed must be wet to prevent further accidental exposure.  This waterlogging prevents the tiny fibers from becoming airborne.  Powerful vacuums and HEPA filters will also be used to collect leftover residue and any material that may contain more than 1% asbestos fiber.  Not all asbestos containing material must be removed, unless the structure is undergoing demolition.

Who do I need to notify if I am performing Iowa asbestos abatement procedures?

Two weeks prior to the start of construction, you must provide notification to the Iowa DNR of the plans to demolish or renovate.  On the provided notification form, you will make notes of who is performing the Iowa asbestos abatement procedures, the nature of asbestos in the building and the plans to dispose of the asbestos containing material appropriately.

Regulated Asbestos Containing Material that must be removed

All materials identified by the EPA as containing asbestos must be removed in a demolition.  Only certain, indurate items may remain in a renovation if the renovation will not tamper with them.  Friable materials are particularly dangerous, as per federal regulations and will have to be waterlogged before removal, and will be transported in this state.  All construction and demolition waste must be disposed of at a solid waste management facility, as determined by the state.

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