Resources
Alpine Environmental’s Essential Guides
Don’t let complex terminology hold you back from breathing easy. Find the answers you need here.
Asbestos Abatement
General Terms
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that has been used in many products due to its unique and useful properties. It’s fireproof, durable, flexible, and chemical resistant. However, when its tiny fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled, causing serious health problems.
Asbestos Abatement
The first step of asbestos abatement is to properly contain the work area with poly sheeting and install HEPA filtered negative air machines. Then, licensed asbestos workers wearing Tyvek suits and HEPA-filtered respirators remove or contain the asbestos materials.
Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM)
Any material containing more than 1% asbestos. They are divided into two categories: friable and non-friable.
Friable Materials
Any asbestos-containing material (ACM) that can be crushed, crumbled, or pulverized. This type is more of a concern as it’s easier for them to be damaged and release toxic asbestos fibers. Examples include insulation, pipe lagging, and fire retardants.
Nonfriable Materials
Asbestos-containing materials that are more stable and less likely to be damaged. While these are still a potential hazard, they are less likely to cause asbestos-related health concerns. Examples include roofing, asbestos cement sheets, and vinyl floor tiles.
Vermiculite Insulation
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral. Unfortunately, vermiculite insulation often includes asbestos fibers and can cause health concerns.
Lead Paint Abatement
General Terms
Lead Paint or Lead Based Paint
Legally defined as paint containing at least 0.5% lead by weight. Also, by XRF (see below for definition) testing, it contains lead equal to or exceeding one milligram per square centimeter (1.0 mg/cm2).
Blood Lead Level (“BLL”)
The amount of lead measured in the human bloodstream. It is measured in micrograms per deciliter (“mcg/dl”), or millionths of a gram per tenth of a liter. Since there is no use for lead in the human body, the ideal BLL is zero. Average US BLLs are 1.2 mcg/dl for adults and 1.8 mcg/dl for children under 6 years old. Research shows even slightly elevated BLLs cause serious health issues, especially in children under 6 years old whose brains are still developing. These issues include loss of IQ points and development of ADD.
BLL Reference Level
The US CDC (Centers for Disease Control) defines any child with a BLL at or greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter to be at the “BLL Reference Level”. These children are considered to have elevated lead levels and require case management. At this point, parents, doctors, and public health officials can take early action to reduce the child’s BLL and their future exposure to lead.
Lead Poisoning
In Massachusetts, a child under 6 years old with a BLL equal to or greater than 10 mcg/dl is legally defined as lead poisoned. At a BLL of 45 or more, the US CDC recommends medical intervention for the child. Serious physical symptoms such as neurological disorders, headaches, and kidney damage can occur at sustained BLLs of 50 or more.
XRF Gun
An X-Ray Fluorescence Gun is a non-invasive and non-destructive testing device that measures the content of lead in a surface coating. It measures the weight of lead over a given area and reads in milligrams per square centimeter (“mg/cm²”). Lead content greater than or equal to 1.0 mg/cm² is considered to be lead paint.
Lead Paint Abatement or Deleading
The process of removing lead hazards from a building. This work is done by a properly licensed Lead Paint Abatement Contractor, also known as a Deleading Contractor.
Massachusetts Lead Paint Laws
General related Terms
Every state has its own lead poisoning prevention laws. Massachusetts has one of the most encompassing and comprehensive laws in the country. This came about primarily as a reaction to the high number of lead-poisoned children in the state in the 1980s. Massachusetts had a high level of poisoned children due in large part to the high percentage of older houses coupled with the harsh weather that takes its toll on paint. The current lead paint law was passed in 1989 and went into effect in 1990, although it has been modified several times since then. The following are terms that will help you navigate through the complicated deleading process in Massachusetts.
Licensed Deleading Contractor or Deleader
A contractor who is licensed to perform all levels of Lead Abatement. Deleading Contractors are licensed by the Massachusetts Dept. of Labor Standards (“DLS”).
Low-Risk Deleading
Lead abatement work that creates little to no dust. This includes, among other things, removing doors from their hinges, covering flooring or stair components with carpet, or installing vinyl siding.
Low-Risk Deleader
A contractor licensed by DLS who is limited to perform Low-Risk Lead Paint Abatement.
Moderate Risk Deleading
Lead abatement work that creates limited dust. This includes, among other things, removing window sashes, removing door and window casings, or removing other wood trim pieces.
Moderate Risk Deleader
A contractor licensed by DLS who is limited to perform Moderate or Low-Risk Lead Paint Abatement.
Certified Lead-Safe Renovator (“LSR”)
A contractor or person who is certified in the EPA RRP Rule, as promulgated by Massachusetts DLS. They are authorized to only work on RRP-related projects and cannot do Lead Abatement work, nor can they bring a property into Full Compliance or attain a Letter of Compliance.
Mold Remediation
General Terms
Mold
A type of fungus that grows in colonies and reproduces by means of spores. It needs oxygen, moisture and food—anything from wood to sheetrock paper—to grow. There are many species of mold; many are known to cause allergic reactions.
Hyphae
The fine tubes of branching filaments that are part of the mold structure.
Mycelium
A cluster of Hyphae.
Spores
The reproductive cells of mold. They can remain dormant for years, then begin to grow when the proper conditions of food, moisture, and temperature are met.
Toxic Black Mold
The general term used to describe Stachybotrys (stacky-bot’-ris), one of the species of mold known to cause health issues in many people. Health effects may range from headaches and eye irritation to acute respiratory issues. In buildings, it typically grows on sheetrock, using the paper as food. The mold can’t be removed from contaminated sheetrock; the sheetrock must be replaced.
Dry Ice Blasting
A method for removing mold from surfaces using high-speed blasting of dry ice pellets. This environmentally friendly method yields superior results in less time than other methods. The mold is completely removed without the use of chemicals.