Abatement. Procedures to control fiber release from ACM, including removal, encapsulation and enclosure of ACM

Asbestos. Cyrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite in any form, chemically treated and/or altered

Asbestosis. The scarring of the tissue of the lung itself from inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers

Asbestos containing material (ACM). Any material containing asbestos in an amount greater than one-tenth of one percent by weight

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Federal law that requires the use of specially trained persons to conduct inspections for asbestos, develop asbestos management plans, and design or conduct asbestos work

Asbestos subcontractor. A registered contractor licensed by the state of California to perform asbestos work

Asbestos supervisor. A competent person who has completed and maintains certification in AHERA accredited asbestos supervisor, building inspector, and management planner courses (see Training)

Demolition. Wrecking, intentional burning, moving or dismantling of any load-supporting structural member, or portion thereof, of a building

Friable asbestos. ACM which can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder, when dry, by hand pressure

Mesothelioma. A rare type of cancer that affects the pleural sac that surrounds the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos

Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) Classification Designations for Asbestos Work

• Class I. Asbestos operations and activities involving the removal of friable asbestos, thermal systems insulation (TSI) and surfacing ACM and PACM
• Class II. Asbestos operations and activities involving the removal of ACM which is not friable asbestos, TSI or surfacing material, such as floor tiles, wallboard, and transite board
• Class III. Construction, repair and maintenance activities where ACM is likely to be disturbed
• Class IV. Maintenance and custodial activities during which personnel contact ACM and PACM

Permissible exposure limit (PEL). Generally, a limit for personal exposure to a substance. The OSHA eight-hour PEL for asbestos is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter

Potential asbestos containing material (PACM). TSI and surfacing material found in buildings constructed before 1981

Renovation. An operation other than demolition in which PACM is removed or stripped from any element of a building, structure, installation or portion thereof

Thermal system insulation (TSI). Material in a building applied to pipes, fittings, boilers, breeching, tanks, ducts, or other interior structural components to prevent heat loss or gain, or water condensation, or for other purposes