DNR Asbestos Program

Asbestos fibers are a known human carcinogen. Lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the chest cavity lining) and asbestosis (a fibrotic scarring of lung tissue) have been proven to result from asbestos exposure. The Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970 requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to develop and enforce regulations to protect the general public from exposure to airborne contaminants that are know to be human health hazards. The USEPA has since delegated the authority to implement and enforce the Federal Asbestos NESHAP to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Department's Asbestos Program was implemented to reduce the public's possible asbestos exposure. These regulations require facility owners and/or operators involved in demolition and renovation activities to pre-inspect the affected facility, file proper notification and handle and dispose of asbestos properly. The asbestos program offers education and assistance with asbestos issues so that owners and/or operators can comply with rule requirements.

Asbestos Topics

General

• Asbestos History and Uses
• Asbestos Health Effects
• Frequently Asked Questions about DNR's asbestos program
• Is Asbestos in Your Home? (PDF, 875KB) - color diagram/factsheet, 1 page
• FACTSHEET: What you need to know about asbestos: a regulatory summary for contractors and building owners [PDF, 82KB] - publication AM-366 2006 (revised February 2006)
• Bureau of Waste and Materials Management publications on asbestos
• Map of Wisconsin Asbestos Inspectors by County in color or black and white

Notification of demolition and renovation

• Notification of Demolition and/or Renovation and Application for Permit Exemption, DNR Form 4500-113

Asbestos regulations

• Chapter NR 447, Wisconsin Administrative Code, Control of Asbestos Emissions, PDF (exit DNR)
• WDNR/USEPA NESHAP Regulations -- Renovation and Demolition
• Asbestos Regulations
• Asbestos Citation Authority
• Regulatory Assistance - State/Federal/Other

Demolition and fire training

• Pre-Demolition Environmental Checklist - Bureau of Waste and Materials Management publication WA-651-07 (Revised 2007) [PDF, 58KB]
• Training Burns: A Guide to the Process of Fire Training

Asbestos abatement

• Control of Asbestos Emissions
• Asbestos Abatement Projects

Disposal

• Asbestos Storage, Transportation and Disposal - Procedural Guidance -- 13K PDF, 3 pages, updated 9/02
• Construction & Demolition Waste Recovery: Processing, Recycling, Burning, & Transport

Other Asbestos Links (all links below exit DNR)

• Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
• Asbestos Certification
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration