AN ASBESTOS HAZARD INDEX FOR MANAGING FRIABLE ASBESTOS INSULATING MATERIAL1

This paper describes the development of an index to evaluate the potential hazard associated with the presence of asbestos in friable insulating material in a building and to recommend the appropriate action to take based on this assessment. The hazard index is determined by the number of persons exposed to asbestos fibers and by the level of their exposure. The level of the exposure is estimated from subjective assessments of several characteristics of the facility and its operations. The logic of this approach and several illustrations of its use are provided.