Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

Rule Summary

EPA's air toxics regulation for asbestos is intended to minimize the release of asbestos fibers during activities involving the handling of asbestos.

Air toxics regulations under the Clean Air Act specify work practices for asbestos to be followed during demolitions and renovations of all facilities, including, but not limited to, structures, installations, and buildings (excluding residential buildings that have four or fewer dwelling units). The regulations require a thorough inspection where the demolition or renovation operation will occur. When buildings are under renovation, they are not being demolished, but asbestos-containing building material is being removed or disturbed. Performing the work in accordance with the Asbestos NESHAP helps to ensure that areas in use during the renovation are not contaminated and that the area under renovation, when it is complete, is also free of contamination.

Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Learn more about Asbestos and how the NESHAP affects different industries.

Rule History

07/20/2004 – Final Rule; amendments

09/18/2003 – Proposed Rule & Direct Final Rule

01/16/1991 – Federal Register Correction

11/20/1990 – Final Rule

01/10/1989 – Proposed Rule

09/23/1988 – Corrections to a Final Rule

03/10/1986 – Final Rule; correction

06/21/1994 – Final Rule; correction

04/05/1984 – Final Rule

07/13/1983 – Proposed Rule

06/19/1978 – Final Rule Amendments

03/02/1977 – Amendments

03/02/1977 – Proposed Amendments

10/14/1975 – Amendments to Standards

10/26/1974 – Proposed Amendments

05/03/1974 – Additions and Miscellaneous Amendments; corrections

04/06/1973 – Final Rule

12/07/1971 – Proposed Rule

Additional Resources

Background Information on National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Proposed Amendments to Standards for Asbestos and Mercury

Asbestos Contamination of the Air in Public Buildings

Airborne Asbestos Health Assessment Update

Asbestos Exposure Assessment

Background Information on the Development of National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Asbestos, Beryllium, and Mercury

Biologic Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants: Asbestos - The Need For and Feasibility of Air Pollution Controls

Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Legacy Docket Indexes

Implementation Information

EPA Regional NESHAP Asbestos Contacts

(As of November 2016)

EPA Region

NESHAP Coordinator

EPA Region 1
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912

James Chow
617-918-1394
chow.james@epa.gov

EPA Region 2
Air Branch
290 Broadway, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10007-1866

Victor Tu
Phone: 212-637-3476
FAX: 212-637-3998
tu.victor@epa.gov

EPA Region 3
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Rich Ponak,
Phone: (215) 814-2044
FAX: 215-814-3113
Ponak.Rich@epa.gov

EPA Region 4
61 Forsyth Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960

Pam McIlvaine
Phone: 404-562-9197
FAX: 404-562-8973
mcIlvaine.pam@epa.gov

EPA Region 5
77 West Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604

Linda Rosen
Phone:  312-886-6810
rosen.linda@epa.gov

EPA Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202-2733

Mark Berry
Phone 214-665-3183
Fax 214-665-7264 
Mail Code: 6PD
berry.mark@epa.gov

EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Blvd.,
Lenexa, KS 66219

Candace Bednar
Mail Code: WWPD/TOPE  
Phone: 913-551-7562
FAX: 913-551-9073
bednar.candace@epa.gov

EPA Region 8
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202-1129

Kristin Jendrek
Mail Code: 8ENF-AT
Phone: 303-312-6126
FAX: 303-312-7202
jendrek.kristin@epa.gov

EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Kingsley Adeduro
Mail Code: A-3-3
Phone: 415-947-4182
FAX: 415-744-3579
adeduro.kingsley@epa.gov

EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Street
Seattle, WA 98101

John Pavitt
Mail Code:  AOO/A
Phone:  907-271-3688
Fax:  907-271-3424
pavitt.john@epa.gov

Compliance

Guideline Document: Requests for Approval of an Alternative Emissions Limitation for the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) 40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M

EPA's Notification of Rules and Regulations Regarding the Demolition of Asbestos-Containing Structures, and Related Questions and Answers

Applicability Determination Index (ADI).  The ADI is maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and provides a data base of memoranda dealing with applicability issues.  The database is searchable by Subpart.