Frequently Asked Questions

The EPA and NESHAP require that you perform a survey to determine the presence of asbestos in a public building before doing a renovation or demolition. You must also notify the Texas Department of State Health services before you start a project.

Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during demolition, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling. In general, exposure may occur only when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release fibers into the air.

Friable means that a material is able to be reduced to a powder by hand pressure. Asbestos containing materials that are friable have a much greater tendency to release fibers into the air. Conversely, non-friable asbestos containing materials do not easily release their fibers into the air. Non-friable materials must be mechanically impacted to release fibers. Asbestos containing floors, mastics and siding are considered non-friable materials.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil. Learn more about asbestos.

Known for its fiber strength and heat resistance, asbestos has been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. Asbestos can be found in a wide variety of building materials including fireproofing, pipe insulation, roofing felts and tars, ceiling and floor tiles, joint compound, and mastics.