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Maine Asbestos Abatement Procedure


Maine asbestos abatement procedure falls under the purview of the Waste Management division of the Department of Environment Protection.  Following federal standards and state laws, this division will certify lawyers in asbestos abatement, formulate plans for asbestos abatement in schools and set the Maine asbestos abatement procedure for most structures.  The DEP will also provide an informational role for the average resident that has inquiries on the possible dangers of asbestos.

Asbestos in Maine schools

Schools across the country have a higher than normal presence of asbestos containing material.  Reflecting this, the Maine DEP requires local school authorities to formulate an asbestos management plan.  This includes training custodial staff for look for possible exposed friable asbestos, such as from pipes and insulation.  There are also specific regulations to maintain floors that have asbestos insulation.

Who may remove asbestos in Maine?

The state of Maine certifies a number of contractors to follow Maine asbestos abatement procedure.  There are a few out-of-state options as well.  There is a full listing of all contractors that you may use on the DEP website.  Contractors are necessary for any asbestos abatement projects where the material being removed is over 3sq. feet.  Even if you anticipate the amount to be removed is small, having the property undergo an inspection will help you anticipate possible dangers and follow the Maine asbestos abatement procedure.  All properties, regardless of size or amount removed must dispose of the removed asbestos according to federal law, as it is a hazardous material.

What structures are exempt from parts of the Maine asbestos abatement procedure?

Any structure, typically family homes that are primary residences, may have small amounts of asbestos fewer than 3ft sq. in total.  These structures do not require DEP notification or approval.  You should still take adequate protections including vacuuming stray particles, wearing eye and nose protection and wetting the material to be removed.  Large scale projects, such as removing insulation from a home, will require the help of a Maine asbestos contractor.

Proper disposal of asbestos containing materials

All property owners, regardless of coverage under the law, must dispose of asbestos properly, in sealed containers, as sites designated by the state.  Certain non-friable material can be treated as construction waste, but most friable material must be wet and sealed to prevent the escape of dangerous fibers.  You must contact the landfill in advance to secure approval before transporting the asbestos containing material there.Proper asbestos abatement

You will need to fill out forms to notify the DEP of the asbestos abatement.  The contractor can help you secure this form and fill it out properly.  It must be completed in advance of the construction work.

Friable materials generally need to be removed, regardless of if there is a demolition or renovation.  An alternative to removal is encapsulation, which seals the exposed fibers under a durable seal.  This is not an option for demolitions, as there will be the danger of the material further crumbling during the destruction.  All durable asbestos material that will not crumble may be disposed as normal construction waste, although this is not definite.

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