Summary of External Peer Review of Draft Quality Assurance Project Plan for Alternative Asbestos Control Method Report

Draft Quality Assurance Project Plan for External Peer Review

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EPA submitted a draft Quality Assurance Project Plan for external peer review for the Alternative Asbestos Control Method demonstration project. An alternative method for removing asbestos from older buildings during demolition will be evaluated and compared to removal techniques previously authorized by National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). If successful, the newer method could allow the safe demolition of many abandoned buildings around the nation that present serious risks to nearby residents. Using the Alternative Asbestos Control Method, these former contaminated areas would then be available for redevelopment, creating jobs and tax revenues for communities.

The newer method will be tested in spring 2006 at a remote location at Fort Chaffee, Ark. chosen to assure no public exposure. Buildings on the east side have a clearance of approximately 1,000 feet from the nearest occupied site, and far greater in all other directions. The demonstration will include extensive environmental monitoring, that allows for a representative of the City, State Health Department, or EPA to stop work if conditions so merit.

The Alternative Asbestos Control Method first removes the most friable (easily crushed to a powder) asbestos-containing materials before demolition, but leaves some asbestos containing materials (primarily wall systems) in place. Then the demolition proceeds using water amended with surfactants (agents similar to detergents) to increase the water's ability to penetrate dust layers and surfaces, trap asbestos fibers and minimize their potential release to air.

The project is a joint effort of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Energy, and EPA. Public involvement is an important component for project success, and there will be opportunities for stakeholder input throughout the work.

The Federal Register Notice published on December 9th opened a 30-day public comment period on the project plans. The comment period closedin January 2006.

A summary of the external peer review of the draft QAPP is available.

Dr. Neil Stiber is available to answer additional questions about the peer review and public comment process. He can be contacted by phone at (202), 564-1573, by facsimile at (202) 565-2925, by email at stiber.neil@epa.gov or mail at Dr. Neil Stiber, EPA-ORD, Mail Code 8104-R, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20460.

Primary Documents:

Alternative Asbestos Control Method - Background in PDF (6pp, 63 KB)

Final Quality Assurance Project Plan (31 Mar 2006) in PDF (143pp, 3 MB)

Additional Materials:

1. Asbestos Inspection Report - Buildings 3602 & 3607 (23 Nov 2005) in PDF (19.8 MB)

2. Asbestos Abatement Specifications - Building 3602 (Feb 2006) in PDF (57pp, 597 KB)

3. Health and Safety Plan (Nov 2005) in PDF (78pp, 296 KB)

4. Kidde NF3000 Wetting Agent Description and Material Safety Data Sheet in PDF (10pp, 199 KB)