General

This fact sheet presents information pertinent to current regulations, statutes, and rules regarding the transportation and packaging of waste asbestos.

Categories of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)

Friable ACM means any material which contains more than 1 percent asbestos and can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.

Nonfriable ACM means any material which contains more than 1 percent asbestos and cannot be pulverized under hand pressure. Nonfriable ACM is divided into two categories. Category I includes packings, gaskets, resilient floor covering, and asphalt roofing products. Category II is any nonfriable ACM not included in Category I.

Regulated asbestos containing material (RACM) includes the following:

a. friable asbestos materials;

b. Category I nonfriable ACM that has become friable;

c. Category I nonfriable ACM that will be or has been subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting, or abrading; and,

d. Category II nonfriable ACM that has a high probability of becoming, or has become, crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by the forces expected to act on the material in the course of demolition or renovation operations.

The transportation of waste ACM is regulated under 49 CFR 107, 171-173. These are federal regulations that classify noncommercial waste asbestos as a Class 9 Hazardous Substance. Pursuant to 49 CFR 171.11 and 172.200-172.205, each transporter of waste ACM must prepare and carry proper shipping papers. If hauling interstate, haulers are responsible for compliance with all motor carrier Hazardous Materials Regulations. Contact the NH Department of Safety (DOS) at (603)271-2447 or the Department of Enforcement at (603)271-3339 for further information. If more than one pound of friable asbestos is spilled or leaked while being transported, the owner of the transport vehicle must immediately contact the National Response Center (800) 424-8802 and the NH DOS hazardous material emergency response team (800) 346-4009.

Shipping Papers

Shipping papers must include the following information pursuant to 49 CFR 171.11 and 172.200 through 172.205:

a. name of the hazardous substance (asbestos);

b. Reportable Quantity (RQ) for spills (1 lb). Applicable to friable or RACM asbestos;

c. name of the shipper;

d. emergency telephone numbers;

e. material division (class 9);

f. material ID# (NA2212);
Note: "NA" refers to North American, and although used for loads being  transported to and from Canada, the abbreviation is not otherwise recognized for international transportation of asbestos;

g. material packing group (III); and

h. total quantity.

Registration:

Transporters must register with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT). For more information contact USDOT at (617) 494-2545.

Marking and Labeling Requirements

Non-bulk packaging and placarded transport vehicles shall be marked and labeled with the proper hazardous substance name, ID#, and label. (49 CFR 172.300-172.500.) Labels should be durable and weather resistant with a white background and seven black stripes. Transport vehicles containing a hazardous substance must be placarded on each side and each end.

Vehicles used to transport asbestos containing waste material must be marked during loading and unloading per federal regulations (40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M). Signs must be visible, displayed so they can be read, and be at least 20" X 14" with the following text:

Exceptions

a. Placards and shipping papers are not required by homeowners transporting their own asbestos waste from nonregulated jobs.

b. Transport vehicles with less than 1001 pounds are exempt from the placard requirements. (49 CFR 172.504)

c. Limited quantities less than 66 pounds are exempt from labeling and placarding requirements (except when transported by aircraft) (49 CFR 173.155).

Two types of packaging are recognized when handling asbestos. Bulk packaging describes material with no intermediate form of containment, i.e., material directly placed in a lined transport vehicle (49 CFR 171.8, 173.240) or a bladder bag. Non-bulk packaging, i.e., bags, etc., which contains less than 882 pounds (450kg) and/or less than 450 liters (49 CFR 171.8, 173.155-173.156, and 173.216).

Asbestos must be packaged and handled to avoid actions that may cause asbestos fibers to become airborne. No visible emissions shall be made to the air. Procedures to ensure this include the following:

a. Wet asbestos-containing waste material with amended water (water with some detergent added).

b. After wetting, seal all asbestos-containing waste material in leak tight containers while wet. If disposal bags are used, DES requires (2) 6 mil thick polyethylene bags or a functional equivalent.

c. Label the asbestos waste containers as follows:

Note: There must be a warning statement against breathing asbestos fibers such as:

d. A separate label with the name of the generator and the address at which the asbestos waste was generated is required.

e. If prelabeled disposal bags are not used, then attach a label with the material name, material ID# 2212, division class 9, and RQ applicable to friable or RACM on the outer disposal bag.

For additional information on asbestos sampling, contact: