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Iowa Asbestos Laws


While Iowa does not have particularly high rates of expose and asbestos related illnesses, those that work in Iowa’s robust manufacturing industry may have been exposed to the material.  Asbestos was a key ingredient in a number of applications, including fire and waterproofing.  The heat resistance factor even made it a key component in brank pads.  Iowa’s asbestos laws reflect the federal standards for minimizing risks to workers in the workplace and secondary exposure in the environment.  In addition, building regulations, as stated in Iowa asbestos laws also aim to prevent the accidental release of asbestos fibers during demolition and renovation.

Demolition and Renovation

Demolitions and renovations are facilitated through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  This government agency issues the permits necessary to remove asbestos and will issue safety guidelines related to asbestos in the home.  Reflecting the possibility of natural disasters in the state, the IDNR has worked with the EPA to formulate an emergency asbestos abatement plan in the event of a catastrophic disaster that causes visible emissions and significant friable asbestos exposure.

Licensing asbestos professionals

All contractors that perform asbestos abatement in Iowa must be licensed by the state.  Those that are unlicensed will face harsh penalties.  You may find a licensed asbestos abatement professional through the use of an online director provided by the Iowa Division of Labor.  To be licensed to remove asbestos, you must pass a training course on Iowa asbestos laws and demonstrate knowledge of safety protocols, asbestos abatement procedures and the effect of asbestos on the human body.

Asbestos in the workplace

The Iowa Occupation Safety and Health Administration works with their federal partners in Washington to enforce federal and Iowa asbestos laws.  This includes proper cleanup of friable materials, proper handling of those materials in the workplace and proper compensation from those exposure to the dangerous material.

Disposal

All asbestos material, regardless of its nature, must be disposed of careful and in compliance with Iowa asbestos laws.  This includes wetting and sealing friable asbestos materials and labeling the material accordingly.  Non-friable materials are subject to their own rules and in some cases may be treated as construction waste.  If you are working with an asbestos contractor, they will be able to provide more details on proper disposal.  All others, typically homeowners, will need to contact a participating landfill for further instructions as well as schedule a time and date to deliver the material to the landfill.

How is the body affected by asbestos?

Those that inhale asbestos will suffer from decreased lung function.  Asbestos is a carcinogen and will cause the growth of tumors over a lengthy period of time.  Tumors on the lining of the lungs are known as mesothelioma and this is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with a very poor rate of survival.

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