Factsheet on Asbestos Disposal

• Types of Asbestos
• Regulatory Program Authority
• Regulatory Requirements

Types of asbestos

Proper management of asbestos containing material (ACM) depends on whether it is friable or nonfriable; if nonfriable, whether it is category I or II; & if category I, whether it is a construction & demolition (C & D) material. Definitions of asbestos types are provided below.

"Category I nonfriable ACM" is defined as "...packings, gaskets, resilient floor covering & asphalt roofing...containing...asbestos...that...cannot be crumbled...to powder by hand pressure." Category I ACM is pliable (not brittle), breaks by tearing rather than fracturing, and does not easily release asbestos fibers upon breaking.

"Category II nonfriable ACM" is defined as "any material, excluding category I nonfriable ACM, containing...asbestos...that...cannot be crumbled...to powder by hand pressure." This includes rigid exterior siding and boards known by the trade name "transite". Category II ACM is not pliable, breaks by fracturing rather than tearing, and does release some asbestos fiber release upon breaking.

"Friable ACM" is defined as "any material containing...asbestos... that...can be crumbled...to a powder by hand pressure." Common types of friable ACM include pipe insulation & sprayed on or tiled sound insulation materials. Friable ACM has little structural strength and contains asbestos fibers which are readily released upon breaking.

The actual state of materials may vary, so the definition of "friable" must be referred to when classifying materials. Also, nonfriable materials may become friable during grinding, cutting, burning, crushing, and similar operations, including some types of building demolition which may generate and release asbestos fibers.

Three different state regulatory programs have authority over ACM removal, transport and disposal.

Removal of ACM is regulated by:

• Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services (DHFS), Division of Health.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Air Management Program.

Transportation & disposal of ACM is regulated by:

• WDNR Air Management Program.
• WDNR Solid Waste Program.

Wisconsin DHFS Division of Health administers training and certification programs for inspectors and contractors performing ACM removal. Detailed information about these requirements is not provided in this factsheet. For information about these requirements, contact Shelley Bruce at 608-267-0928.

Wisconsin DNR Air Management Program regulates friable ACM, & category I & II nonfriable ACM if it becomes friable. Air Management must be contacted if friable or nonfriable ACM removal is being considered, or if any building will be demolished. For information about these requirements, contact Pat Kirsop at 608-266-2060.

This factsheet only summarizes DNR requirements & does not replace the rules regulating ACM or construction & demolition (C & D) materials.

Removal & packaging procedures to prevent asbestos fiber emission are prescribed:

• Friable ACM must always be removed before demolition, and wetted and placed immediately into leak tight containers or bags.
• Category II ACM must usually be removed before demolition, and wetted as needed to prevent dusting and placed in covered containers.
• Category I ACM must be removed before building demolition if the ACM has or will become friable.

The Air Management program must be notified for all building demolitions (whether or not any ACM is present) and for all required ACM removal of at least 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet. When required, building demolition notice or ACM removal notice must be made at least 10 business days before the demolition or removal occurs.

Transport of all solid wastes must be by a licensed solid waste transporter. No other transport license is needed for ACM in Wisconsin. ACM can only be transported to proper disposal locations. All ACM must be transported to prevent any visible emission of dust from the load, & the following procedures must be met for the ACM type specified:

• Friable ACM must be wetted and bagged prior to transport.
• Category II ACM may be transported in bulk containers, but must be wetted as needed to control dust, and containers must be covered to prevent spilling and dusting.
• Category I ACM may be in bulk containers, but covers must be used to prevent spilling. Wetting is not required to prevent asbestos emissions during transport.

Disposal requirements for ACM

Category I ACM which is not a C&D material, all friable ACM and all category II ACM must be disposed at an approved landfill engineered with a liner and leachate collection, and the landfill must be specifically approved to accept asbestos. On a case by case basis, the Solid Waste Program may approve disposal of these ACM materials at other landfills, if the landfill operational practices will be consistent with the ACM disposal requirements in s. NR 506.10 (2), Wis. Adm. Code (exit DNR):

• Dispose in a trench excavated into existing refuse and cover with at least 3 feet of non-asbestos waste or soil prior to compaction.
• Record each disposal location by vertical and horizontal coordinates.
• Do not dispose within previous ACM disposal areas or in locations proposed for future construction of landfill components, such as leachate headwells or gas extraction wells.
• Category I ACM which is C&D material may be disposed at an approved C&D landfill, including an approved one time disposal landfill, or at any other landfill with a plan of operation approved under s. 144.44 (3), Stats. No special operational requirements apply to disposal of category I ACM.
• Burning is prohibited for all types of ACM.

Based on "Asbestos Disposal Factsheet," prepared by the Solid Waste Program, Bureau of Waste Management, DNR, revised 11/96.

For more information, contact Pat.Kirsop@wisconsin.gov, DNR Asbestos Coordinator.