Asbestos Terminology Glossary

Capacity Assurance Plan

A plan which assures that a state has the ability to treat and dispose of hazardous wastes generated within its borders over the next 20 years. Section 104 of SARA required the first plan to be submitted to EPA in October 1989. But even though capacity has been certified, the state is not required to treat or dispose of hazardous wastes at home; many are exporting to other states that have commercial facilities, permitted landfills, and incinerators.

See also:

Acute EffectAcute ToxicityDose

Carcinogenic or Carcinogen

Capable of causing cancer. A suspected carcinogen is a substance that may cause cancer in humans or animals but for which the evidence is not conclusive.

CERCLIS

The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System. This database includes all sites which have been nominated for investigation by the Superfund program and the actions that have been taken at these sites. If the site investigation reveals contamination, the site is ranked and may be included on the National Priorities List for Superfund cleanup. Inclusion in the CERCLIS database does not necessarily mean that a property is a hazardous waste site. An emergency action may have been conducted there or a simple investigation which concluded that no further action was required.

Chemical Abstract Service (CAS)

Since the 1890s, CAS has been assigning identification numbers to chemicals that companies register with them. Every year, CAS updates and writes new chemical abstracts on well over a million different chemicals, including their composition, structure, characteristics, and all the different names of that chemical. CAS On-Line is a computer network available to individual and business account holders to receive information about specific chemicals of concern. Each abstract is accompanied by the CAS number.

Chronic Effect

An adverse effect on any living organism in which symptoms develop slowly over a long period of time or recur frequently.

See also:

Climate Change

This term is commonly used interchangeably with "global warming" and "the greenhouse effect," but is a more descriptive term. Climate change refers to the buildup of man-made gases in the atmosphere that trap the sun's heat, causing changes in weather patterns on a global scale. The effects include changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, potential droughts, habitat loss, and heat stress. The greenhouse gases of most concern are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides. If these gases in our atmosphere double, the earth could warm up by 1.5 to 4.5 degrees by the year 2050, with changes in global precipitation having the greatest consequences.

Closure

The procedure an operator must go through when a landfill reaches the legal capacity for solid waste. No more waste can be accepted and a cap usually is placed over the site. The cap is then planted with grasses and other ground covers.

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Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

A periodic publication of the regulations established by U.S. law.

Commercial Waste Management Facility

A treatment, storage, disposal, or transfer facility that accepts wastes from a variety of sources for profit. A commercial facility manages a broader spectrum of wastes than a private facility, which normally manages a limited volume or type of waste.

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Conditionally Exempt Generators

Small quantity facilities that produce fewer than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month. Exempt from most regulations, conditionally exempt generators are required to determine whether their waste is hazardous and to notify local waste management agencies. These generators may treat or dispose of the waste on site or ensure that the waste is sent to a permitted disposal or recycling facility.

See also:

Asbestos SurveysAsbestos Testing & Inspection

County Emergency Operations Plan

A plan required by Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations that describes actions the county will take to respond to emergency situations such as natural disasters, major fires, transportation incidents, or chemical releases.

Covered Facility

A facility having one or more of the 366+ extremely hazardous substances in amounts higher than the quantity designated by EPCRA. These facilities must file reports with the SERC and LEPC.

Criteria

Descriptive factors taken into account by EPA in setting standards for pollutants. For example, water quality criteria describe the concentration of pollutants that most fish can be exposed to for an hour without showing acute effects.

D

Demolition Survey (Type 3)

The most thorough type of asbestos survey, required before any demolition work. Unlike a management or refurbishment survey, it covers the entire building and uses destructive inspection to locate every ACM. Surveyors work in unoccupied buildings because the process is invasive. All asbestos must be removed before demolition can begin.

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Decontamination Unit

A set of connected chambers through which workers pass when entering or leaving an asbestos work area. The sequence runs: dirty room (removing contaminated PPE), shower room (washing), clean room (putting on clean clothes). Workers who skip or shortcut the sequence carry fibers out of the work area with them.

Related services:

Decontamination Units & EnclosuresAsbestos Removal

See also:

Containmentclean-roomshower-room

Delist

Use of the petition process (1) to have a chemical's toxic designation rescinded; (2) to remove a site from the National Priority List; or (3) to exclude a particular waste from regulation even though it is a listed hazardous waste.

See also:

Dispersion Model

A mathematical prediction of how pollutants from a discharge or emission source will be distributed in the surrounding environment under given conditions of wind, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors.

Disposal

The discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid waste or hazardous waste into the environment (land, surface water, ground water, and air).

See also:

Disposal Facility

A landfill, incinerator, or other facility which receives waste for disposal. The facility may have one or many disposal methods available for use. Does not include wastewater treatment.

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Dose

In terms of monitoring exposure levels, the amount of a toxic substance taken into the body over a given period of time.

Dose Response

How an organism's response to a toxic substance changes as its overall exposure to the substance changes. For example, a small dose of carbon monoxide may cause drowsiness; a large dose can be fatal.

Dump

A land site where wastes are discarded in a disorderly or haphazard fashion without regard to protecting the environment. Uncontrolled dumping is an indiscriminate and illegal form of waste disposal. Problems associated with dumps include multiplication of disease-carrying organisms and pests, fires, air and water pollution, unsightliness, loss of habitat, and personal injury.

See also:

Asbestos EncapsulationAsbestos Abatement

E

Encapsulation

A method of asbestos abatement that involves treating asbestos-containing materials with a sealant to prevent fiber release. Encapsulants penetrate the material or create a protective coating that binds the fibers together. This method is less expensive and disruptive than removal but requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Suitable only for materials in good condition that will not be disturbed.

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Exposure Limit

The maximum permissible concentration of airborne asbestos fibers to which workers can be exposed over a specified time period. Regulatory limits vary by jurisdiction but typically include an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and a short-term exposure limit (STEL). Employers must monitor exposure levels and implement controls to ensure compliance with these limits to protect worker health.

Related services:

Asbestos Air MonitoringAsbestos Exposure Consultation

Erionite

A naturally occurring fibrous zeolite mineral that, while not technically an asbestos mineral, causes mesothelioma at rates far exceeding those of asbestos. Erionite gained attention following epidemiological studies in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, where villages built from erionite-containing tuff experienced mesothelioma mortality rates up to 50% of all deaths. It has also been found in volcanic rock deposits across the western United States, Mexico, and other regions. The IARC classifies erionite as a Group 1 carcinogen.

See also:

AsbestosMesotheliomaAsbestos Fibers

Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory

An annual report by facilities having one or more extremely hazardous substances or hazardous chemicals above certain weight limits, as specified in Section 311 and 312 of EPCRA.

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

The local government official designated to be notified immediately of chemical emergencies (e.g., spills, chemical releases, explosions, or fires) under EPCRA.

Emission

The release or discharge of a substance into the environment. Generally refers to the release of gases or particulates into the air.

Emission Standards

Government standards that establish limits on discharges of pollutants into the environment (usually in reference to air).

Environmental Assessment (EA)

A preliminary, written, environmental analysis required by NEPA (see the Federal Law section) to determine whether a federal activity such as building airports or highways would significantly affect the environment; may require preparation of more detailed Environmental Impact Statement.

Environmental Audit

An independent assessment (not conducted by EPA) of a facility's compliance policies, practices, and controls. Many pollution prevention initiatives require an audit to determine where wastes may be reduced or eliminated or energy conserved. Many supplemental environmental projects that offset a penalty use audits to identify ways to reduce the harmful effects of a violation.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

A document prepared by or for EPA which identifies and analyzes, in detail, environmental impacts of a proposed action. As a tool for decision-making, the EIS describes positive and negative effects and lists alternatives for an undertaking, such as development of a wilderness area.

Environmental Justice

The fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment implies that no population should be forced to shoulder a disproportionate share of exposure to the negative effects of pollution due to lack of political or economic strength.

Environmental Response Team (ERT)

EPA's group of highly trained scientists and engineers based in Edison, NJ and Cincinnati, OH who back up the federal On-Scene Coordinator. The ERT's capabilities include multimedia sampling and analysis, hazard assessment, hazardous substance and oil spill cleanup techniques, and technical support.

Epidemiologist

A medical scientist who studies the various factors involved in the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population.

Exposure

Radiation or pollutants that come into contact with the body and present a potential health threat. The most common routes of exposure are through the skin, mouth, or by inhalation.

Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS)

Any of 366 (+ or -) chemicals or hazardous substances identified by EPA on the basis of hazard or toxicity and listed under EPCRA. The list is periodically revised.

F

Friable Asbestos

Asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Friable asbestos releases fibers more readily than non-friable asbestos and is therefore considered more dangerous. Common examples include pipe insulation, spray-on coatings, and thermal insulation. Friable materials require specialized handling, removal, and strict containment.

Related services:

Friable Asbestos RemovalAsbestos Testing & Inspection

Four-Stage Clearance

A four-step process that certifies an asbestos work area safe for reoccupancy: (1) visual inspection, (2) thorough cleaning and waste removal, (3) second visual inspection, and (4) air monitoring to confirm fiber levels are below regulatory limits. All four stages must pass before the containment can be removed and the area reopened.

Related services:

Asbestos Clearance / 4-Stage Clearance

Financial Assurance

A means (such as insurance, guarantee, surety bond, letter of credit, or qualification as a self-insurer) by the operator of a facility such as a landfill to assure financial capability for cleaning up possible environmental releases and closure of that facility.

Fugitive Emissions

Air pollutants released to the air other than those from stacks or vents; typically small releases from leaks in plant equipment such as valves, pump seals, flanges, sampling connections, etc.

G

Generator

A facility or mobile source that emits pollutants into the air; any person who produces a hazardous waste that is listed by EPA and therefore subject to regulation.

See also:

Asbestos Removal EquipmentAsbestos Air Monitoring

Grab Sample

A single sample of soil or of water taken without regard to time or flow.

Ground Water

Water found below the surface of the land, usually in porous rock formations. Ground water is the source of water found in wells and springs and is used frequently for drinking.

See also:

Surface Water

H

HEPA Filter

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 micrometers or larger, including asbestos fibers. Negative air units, vacuum cleaners, and air monitoring equipment used in asbestos work all rely on HEPA filtration. Filters must be tested regularly and replaced on schedule; a degraded HEPA filter breaks containment and puts workers at risk.

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Hazardous Waste

A subset of solid wastes that pose substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment and meet any of the following criteria: -is specifically listed as a hazardous waste by EPA; - exhibits one or more of the characteristics of hazardous wastes (ignitability, corrosiveness, reactivity, and/or toxicity); - is generated by the treatment of hazardous waste; or is contained in a hazardous waste.

See also:

Industrial WasteSolid Waste

Hazardous Waste Landfill

A specially permitted, excavated or engineered area in which hazardous waste is deposited and covered. Proper protection of the environment from the materials to be deposited in such a landfill requires careful site selection, the cataloging of types of wastes, good design (including a liner and a leachate collection and treatment system), proper operation, and thorough final closure.

See also:

Health Assessment

An evaluation of available data on existing or potential risks posed by a Superfund site. Every site on the National Priorities List has a health assessment prepared by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Household or Domestic Waste

Solid waste, composed of garbage and rubbish, which normally originates from residential, private households, or apartment buildings. Domestic waste may contain a significant amount of toxic or hazardous waste from improperly discarded pesticides, paints, batteries, and cleaners.

See also:

I

Identification Code

The unique code assigned to each generator, transporter, and treatment, storage, or disposal facility by EPA to facilitate identification and tracking of hazardous waste. Superfund sites also have assigned I.D. numbers.

Indoor Air

Breathing air inside a habitable structure, often highly polluted because of lack of exchange with fresh oxygen from outdoors. Solvents, smoke, paints, furniture glues, carpet padding, and other synthetic chemicals trapped inside contribute to an often unhealthy environment.

Industrial Waste

Unwanted materials produced in or eliminated from an industrial operation and categorized under a variety of headings, such as liquid wastes, sludge, solid wastes, and hazardous wastes.

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Innovative Technology

New or inventive methods to treat hazardous wastes, conserve energy, or prevent pollution.

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Inversion

An atmospheric condition caused by increasing temperature with elevation, resulting in a layer of warm air preventing the rise of cooler air trapped beneath. This condition prevents the rise of pollutants that might otherwise be dispersed. Trapping pollutants near the ground increases ozone to harmful levels.

L

Land Disposal Restrictions

Mandated by the 1984 amendments to RCRA; prohibits the disposal of hazardous wastes into or on the land.

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Landfill

A method for final disposal of solid waste on land. The refuse is spread and compacted and a cover of soil applied so that effects on the environment (including public health and safety) are minimized. Under current regulations, landfills are required to have liners and leachate treatment systems to prevent contamination of ground water and surface waters. An industrial landfill disposes of non-hazardous industrial wastes. A municipal landfill disposes of domestic waste including garbage, paper, etc. This waste may include toxins that are used in the home, such as insect sprays and powders, engine oil, paints, solvents, and weed killers.

See also:

Large Quantity Generator

Person or facility which generates more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste per month. In 1989, only 1% of more than 20,000 generators fell into this category. Those generators produced nearly 97% of the nation's hazardous waste. These generators are subject to all requirements of RCRA.

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Leachate

Liquid (mainly water) that percolates through a landfill and has picked up dissolved, suspended, and/or microbial contaminants from the waste. Leachate can be compared to coffee: water that has percolated down through the ground coffee.

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Lethal Concentration 50 (LC 50)

A concentration of a pollutant or effluent at which 50% of the test organisms die; a common measure of acute toxicity.

Lethal Dose 50 (LD 50)

The dose of a toxicant that will kill 50% of test organisms within a designated period of time. The lower the LD 50, the more toxic the compound.

Liner

Structure of natural clay or manufactured material (plastic) which serves as a barrier to restrict leachate from reaching or mixing with ground water in landfills, lagoons, etc.

See also:

Asbestos Exposure ConsultationMesothelioma Legal Assistance

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

The body appointed by the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), as required by EPCRA, which develops emergency plans for Local Emergency Planning Districts, collects MSDS forms and chemical release reports, and provides this information to the public. Each county and some large city governments participate in an LEPC.

M

Mesothelioma

A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the mesothelium (protective lining of lungs, abdomen, or heart), primarily caused by asbestos exposure. The disease typically develops 20-50 years after exposure, making early detection difficult. Pleural mesothelioma (affecting the lung lining) is the most common form. There is no cure, and prognosis is generally poor, though treatments can extend survival and improve quality of life.

Related services:

See also:

AsbestosAsbestosisAsbestos Fibers

Management Survey (Type 1)

An asbestos survey designed to locate and assess asbestos-containing materials that could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy and maintenance of a building. This survey aims to ensure that nobody is harmed by the continuing presence of asbestos in the building. It involves sampling and analysis of suspected materials and creates an asbestos register and management plan.

Related services:

Asbestos SurveysAsbestos Management Plans

See also:

Asbestos SurveyAsbestos Register

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Printed material concerning a hazardous chemical, or Extremely Hazardous Substance, including its physical properties, hazards to personnel, fire and explosion potential, safe handling recommendations, health effects, fire fighting techniques, reactivity, and proper disposal. Originally established for employee safety by OSHA.

Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)

Generally, the best available control technology, taking into account cost and technical feasibility.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

The maximum level of certain contaminants permitted in drinking water supplied by a public water system as set by EPA under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

The maximum level of a contaminant that is associated with no adverse health effects from drinking water containing that contaminant over a lifetime. For chemicals believed to cause cancer, the MCLGs are set at zero. MCLGs are not enforceable, but are ideal, health-based goals which are set in the National Primary Drinking Water Standards developed by EPA. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as possible, considering costs and technology.

Milligrams/liter (mg/l)

A measure of concentration used in the measurement of fluids. Mg/l is the most common way to present a concentration in water and is roughly equivalent to parts per million.

Minimization

Measures or techniques that reduce the amount of wastes generated during industrial production processes; this term also is applied to recycling and other efforts to reduce the volume of waste going to landfills. This term is interchangeable with waste reduction and waste minimization.

See also:

Asbestos Testing & InspectionAsbestos Removal

Mutagenicity

The property of a chemical that causes the genetic characteristics of an organism to change in such a way that future generations are permanently affected.

N

Non-Friable Asbestos

Asbestos-containing material that is bonded or encapsulated in a cement, resin, or other binding material, making it difficult to crumble by hand when dry. Examples include asbestos cement sheets, floor tiles, and roofing materials. While considered less hazardous than friable asbestos when undisturbed, it can become friable through weathering, water damage, or mechanical damage.

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Negative Air Unit (NAU)

A ventilation system with HEPA filters that maintains negative air pressure inside an asbestos work area, so contaminated air cannot escape. The unit draws air continuously from the work area, passes it through HEPA filters, and exhausts clean air outside. Incorrect placement or operation allows contaminated air to leak, putting workers and nearby occupants at risk.

Related services:

Asbestos Removal EquipmentDecontamination Units & Enclosures

See also:

HEPA FilterContainmentair-pressure

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

Maximum air pollutant standards that EPA set under the Clean Air Act for attainment by each state. The standards were to be achieved by 1975, along with state implementation plans to control industrial sources in each state.

National Priorities List (NPL)

A list of sites, many nominated by the states, for hazardous waste cleanup under Superfund.

National Response Center (NRC)

The primary communications center operated by the U.S. Coast Guard to receive reports of major chemical and oil spills and other hazardous substances into the environment. The NRC immediately relays reports to a predesignated federal On-Scene Coordinator.

National Response Team (NRT)

Representatives from 15 federal agencies with interests and expertise in various aspects of emergency response to pollution incidents. EPA serves as chair and the U.S. Coast Guard serves as vice-chair. The NRT is primarily a national planning, policy, and coordinating body and does not respond directly to incidents. The NRT provides policy guidance prior to an incident and assistance as requested by a federal On-Scene Coordinator via a Regional Response Team during an incident. NRT assistance usually takes the form of technical advice, access to additional resources or equipment, or coordination with other RRTs.

No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL)

A level of exposure which does not cause observable harm.

See also:

Exposure Limit

No Observed Effect Level (NOEL)

A level of exposure which does not cause observable harm.

See also:

Exposure Limit

Non-attainment

Refers to areas of the United States that have not met air standards for human health by deadlines set in the Clean Air Act.

O

On-scene Coordinator (OSC)

The federal official responsible for the coordination of a hazardous materials response action, as specified in individual Regional Contingency Plans. OSCs are predesignated by EPA for inland areas and by the U.S. Coast Guard for coastal areas. The OSC coordinates all federal containment, removal, and disposal efforts and resources during a pollution incident. The OSC is the point of contact for the coordination of federal efforts with those of the local response community. The OSC has access to extensive federal resources, including the National Strike Force, the Environmental Response Team, and Scientific Support Coordinators. The OSC can be a source of valuable support and information to the community.

On Site

On the same, or adjacent, property.

Only Lab Analysis Can Determine (OLACD)

Recommendation for certified asbestos inspector sampling

P

PCM (Phase Contrast Microscopy)

A method of analyzing air samples to count asbestos fibers using a phase contrast microscope. PCM is the standard method for measuring airborne asbestos concentrations and verifying compliance with exposure limits. However, PCM cannot identify fiber type and counts all fibers meeting size criteria, potentially overestimating asbestos fiber concentrations.

Related services:

Asbestos Fiber Counting (PCM)Asbestos Air Monitoring

PLM (Polarized Light Microscopy)

A technique for identifying asbestos in bulk material samples using polarized light and optical properties. PLM is the standard method for analyzing building materials suspected of containing asbestos. The method can identify asbestos type and estimate concentration. Samples are typically collected during surveys and analyzed in accredited laboratories.

Related services:

Material Composition Analysis (PLM)Asbestos Bulk Sampling

Pleural Plaques

Localised areas of thickened fibrous tissue on the pleura (the membrane lining the lungs and chest wall), caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres. Pleural plaques are the most common sign of past asbestos exposure and typically appear 10-30 years after initial exposure. While generally asymptomatic and considered benign in themselves, they are a recognized biomarker confirming asbestos exposure. Their presence may indicate a higher risk of developing other asbestos-related conditions such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.

Related services:

Asbestos Exposure ConsultationMedical Surveillance & Screening

See also:

MesotheliomaAsbestosisAsbestos Fibers

Parts per Billion (ppb)

One ppb is comparable to one kernel of corn in a filled, 45-foot silo, 16 feet in diameter.

Parts per Million (ppm)

One ppm is comparable to one drop of gasoline in a tankful of gas (full-size car).

Parts per Trillion (ppt)

One ppt is comparable to one drop in a swimming pool covering the area of a football field 43 ft. deep.

Permeability

The ease with which water, or other fluid, passes through a substance.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Workplace exposure limits for contaminants established by OSHA.

Permit

A legal document issued by state and/or federal authorities containing a detailed description of the proposed activity and operating procedures as well as appropriate requirements and regulations. The permitting process includes provisions for public comment.

Plume

A concentration of contaminants in air, soil, or water usually extending from a distinct source.

Point Source

A stationary location or fixed facility such as an industry or municipality that discharges pollutants into air or surface water through pipes, ditches, lagoons, wells, or stacks; a single identifiable source such as a ship or a mine.

Pollution

Any substances in water, soil, or air that degrade the natural quality of the environment, offend the senses of sight, taste, or smell, or cause a health hazard. The usefulness of the natural resource is usually impaired by the presence of pollutants and contaminants.

Pollution Prevention

Actively identifying equipment, processes, and activities which generate excessive wastes or use toxic chemicals and then making substitutions, alterations, or product improvements. Conserving energy and minimizing wastes are pollution prevention concepts used in manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, recycling, and clean air/clean water technologies.

Potable Water

Raw or treated water that is considered safe to drink.

See also:

Public Comment Period

The time allowed for the members of an affected community to express views and concerns regarding an action proposed to be taken by EPA, such as a rulemaking, permit, or Superfund remedy selection.

Public Water System

Any water system that regularly supplies piped water to the public for consumption, serving at least an average of 25 individuals per day for at least 60 days per year, or has at least 15 service connections.

See also:

Asbestos SurveysAsbestos Testing & Inspection

Q

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

A system of procedures, checks, audits, and corrective actions to ensure that all technical, operational, monitoring, and reporting activities are of the highest achievable quality.

R

Refurbishment Survey (Type 2)

A fully intrusive asbestos survey required before any refurbishment or renovation work. It locates and describes all ACMs in the area being refurbished, using destructive inspection to reach spaces that a management survey cannot access. All ACMs must be removed before refurbishment work begins.

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Risk Assessment

An evaluation of asbestos exposure potential based on material type, condition, location, accessibility, and likelihood of disturbance. Risk assessments assign priority ratings to ACMs, which in turn determine what action is needed: high-risk materials may require immediate removal; low-risk materials may be monitored in place.

Related services:

Asbestos Risk AssessmentAsbestos Consulting

Record of Decision (ROD)

A public document that explains which cleanup alternative was selected for a Superfund site.

Regional Response Team (RRT)

There are 13 RRTs, one for each of 10 federal regions, plus one for Alaska, one for the Caribbean, and one for the Pacific Basin. Each RRT maintains a Regional Contingency Plan and has state and federal government representation. EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard cochair the RRTs. Like the NRT, RRTs are planning, policy, and coordinating bodies and do not respond directly to pollution incidents but do provide assistance when requested by the federal On-Scene Coordinator. RRTs also provide assistance to SERCs and LEPCs in local preparedness, planning, and training for emergency response.

Remedial Action

The actual construction or clean-up phase of a Superfund site cleanup.

Reportable Quantity (RQ)

Amount of a hazardous or extremely hazardous substance that, if released into the environment, must be reported to the NRC, the SERC, and the LEPC under Section 304 of EPCRA.

Residual Risk

The risk associated with pollutants after the application of maximum achievable control technology or MACT.

Responsiveness Summary

A summary of oral and written comments received by EPA during a public comment period on key documents or actions proposed to be taken, and EPA's response to those comments.

Risk Communication

The process of exchanging information about levels or significance of health or environmental risk.

Risk Factor

A characteristic (e.g., race, sex, age, obesity) or variable (e.g., smoking, exposure) associated with increased chance of toxic effects. Some standard risk factors used in general risk assessment calculations include average breathing rates, average weight, and average human life span.

S

Serpentine

A group of silicate minerals with a layered, sheet-like crystal structure. Chrysotile (white asbestos) is the only asbestos mineral from the serpentine group and accounts for roughly 95% of all asbestos used commercially worldwide. Unlike the straight, needle-like fibres of amphibole asbestos, serpentine chrysotile has curly, flexible fibres. Although once considered less hazardous than amphibole forms, chrysotile is now recognized as carcinogenic by all major health authorities.

Related services:

Asbestos Testing & InspectionMaterial Composition Analysis (PLM)

Sediment

Topsoil, sand, and minerals washed from the land into water, usually after rain or snow melt. Sediments collecting in rivers, reservoirs, and harbors can destroy fish and wildlife habitat and cloud the water so that sunlight cannot reach aquatic plants. Loss of topsoil from farming, mining, or building activities can be prevented through a variety of erosion-control techniques.

Slurry

A pumpable mixture of solids and fluid.

Solid Waste

As defined under RCRA, any solid, semi-solid, liquid, or contained gaseous materials discarded from industrial, commercial, mining, or agricultural operations, and from community activities. Solid waste includes garbage, construction debris, commercial refuse, sludge from water supply or waste treatment plants, or air pollution control facilities, and other discarded materials.

See also:

Hazardous WasteIndustrial Waste

Solid Waste Management Facility

Any disposal or resource recovery system; any system, program, or facility for resource conservation; any facility for the treatment of solid wastes.

See also:

Source Reduction

The design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials (such as products and packaging) to reduce the amount or toxicity of garbage generated. Source reduction can help reduce waste disposal and handling charges because the costs of recycling, municipal composting, landfilling, and combustion are avoided. Source reduction conserves resources and reduces pollution.

See also:

Asbestos Fiber Counting (TEM)Asbestos Air Monitoring

State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)

The agency appointed by the Governor to oversee the administration of EPCRA at the state level. This commission designates and appoints members to LEPCs and reviews emergency response plans for cities and counties.

Surface Water

All water naturally open to the atmosphere (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, seas, estuaries) and all springs, wells, or other collectors directly influenced by surface water.

See also:

Ground Water

T

TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy)

The most sensitive and accurate method for analyzing asbestos in air and bulk samples. TEM can identify fiber type, measure very small fibers, and provide definitive asbestos identification. This method is required for final clearance testing after asbestos removal and can detect fibers as small as 0.001 micrometers. TEM is more expensive and time-consuming than PCM but provides superior accuracy.

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Tremolite

An amphibole asbestos mineral (CAS 77536-68-6) that forms white to dark-green prismatic crystals. Tremolite was not mined commercially for industrial use but is commonly found as a contaminant in chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite insulation (notably from the Libby, Montana mine), and talc products. Its presence as a contaminant has driven documented occupational and environmental exposure, and it is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the IARC.

Related services:

Asbestos Testing & InspectionMaterial Composition Analysis (PLM)

Ten-to-the-minus-sixth

Used in risk assessments to refer to the probability of risk. Literally means a chance of one in a million. Similarly, ten-to-the-minus-fifth means a probability of one in 100,000, and so on.

Teratogen

A substance capable of causing birth defects.

Threshold Limit Value (TLV)

The concentration of an airborne substance that a healthy person can be exposed to for a 40-hour work week without adverse effect; a workplace exposure standard.

Toxic Chemical

Substances that can cause severe illness, poisoning, birth defects, disease, or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by living organisms.

Toxic Cloud

An airborne mass of gases, vapors, fumes, or aerosols of toxic materials.

Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)

TRI tracks the waste management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in certain industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical they release into the environment and/or manage through recycling, energy recovery and treatment, as well as any practices implemented to prevent or reduce the generation of chemical waste.

Toxic Substance

A chemical or mixture that can cause illness, death, disease, or birth defects. The quantities and exposures necessary to cause these effects can vary widely. Many toxic substances are pollutants and contaminants in the environment.

Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP)

A test designed to determine whether a waste is hazardous or requires treatment to become less hazardous; also can be used to monitor treatment techniques for effectiveness.

Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSD)

Refers to any facility which treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous wastes.

See also:

Asbestos RemovalAsbestos Abatement

W

Wet Removal Method

A technique for removing asbestos-containing materials using water or wetting agents to minimize fiber release. Materials are thoroughly wetted before, during, and after removal to keep fibers from becoming airborne. This is the preferred method for most asbestos removal work. However, wet removal is not suitable for all materials or situations, such as when water damage to underlying materials must be avoided.

Related services:

See also:

wetting-agentdust-suppression

Water Quality Standard (WQS)

The combination of a designated use and the maximum concentration of a pollutant which will protect that use for any given body of water. For example, in a trout stream, the concentration of iron should not exceed 1 mg/l.

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