Asbestos

Asbestos is a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that was frequently used as a fire-resistant material in insulation, coating and roofing materials.

Learn more about asbestos and its health effects:

• USEPA Asbestos
• RIDOH Asbestos Information

Regulatory Status of Asbestos

Asbestos in Commercial Properties, Apartment Buildings and Schools

Any abatement of asbestos at these buildings is regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Asbestos Control Program. The Department of Health certifies and licenses asbestos training courses, analytical labs, asbestos abatement contractors and consultants. It also has rules for worker safety in these endeavors.

Asbestos in Private Homes

Owners of private residences (single and two-family residences) are not required to follow the same rules as commercial property owners; however, the Asbestos Control Program has useful information to help homeowners doing their own work.

Private homeowners may dispose of limited amounts of asbestos containing waste via the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation’s Eco Depot. You can make a FREE appointment on their website. Quantities are limited to no more than four triple-bagged contractor-size bags of dampened asbestos.

Transportation of Asbestos Containing Waste

Friable asbestos is regulated by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and is subject to the HMR as a Class 9 material. For more information on these requirements, consult the USDOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) website for more information. Non-friable asbestos is not regulated by USDOT.

Asbestos is not classified as a hazardous waste by either the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) or the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), therefore a hazardous waste manifest is not required by RIDEM unless the destination state for a shipment requires its use. Also, RIDEM does not require transporters of asbestos waste to obtain a hazardous waste transporter permit. However, as explained above, since it is a USDOT hazardous material, shipping documents, placarding and special packaging requirements of USDOT may apply.

Transporters may temporarily store asbestos containing waste in vehicles or containers at their place of business if such containers and/or vehicles are locked, in good condition and not managed in a way that constitutes disposal.

Disposal of Asbestos Containing Waste

Asbestos containing waste is classified as a Solid Waste by RIDEM but there are special conditions that are more restrictive on asbestos containing waste than other kinds of solid waste. As per Solid Waste Rule 7.3.B.4.c, construction and demolition debris processing facilities are not allowed to accept waste with >1% asbestos. Also, the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), RI’s only solid waste disposal facility, does not accept asbestos waste for disposal. As discussed above, private homeowners may dispose of limited amounts of asbestos containing waste via RIRRC’s Eco Depot.

As with any other solid waste, it may not be disposed offsite at any place other than a facility licensed to accept it. A facility may not accept, store or dispose of asbestos containing material from offsite without written authorization to do so by RIDEM.

A number of out of state landfills outside of Rhode Island do accept asbestos waste. The acceptance of this material at out of state landfills must adhere to the requirements of that facility and the state it is in. Therefore, the facility or state may require additional paperwork (i.e. a hazardous waste manifest) and/or packaging requirements.

Also, while asbestos is not a hazardous waste as per RIDEM and USEPA regulations, it is considered a hazardous substance by the USEPA CERCLA (superfund) Program. Therefore, disposal of this waste may trigger state or federal cleanup requirements. Information from the RIDEM Site Remediation Program.