Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 75 results

• If an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) accredited-training course is taught by someone other than instructors certified by the state or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), can an approved contractor/instructor sign certificates?

  No. An EPA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) accredited training course must be taught by EPA/state approved instructors and only those approved instructors may issue AHERA approved training course certificates. Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos Learn About Asbestos Asbestos and School Buildings Information for Owners and Managers of Buildings…

  • Last published: May 1, 2024

• Is there a formal requirement that an Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) asbestos training course must have a training manual?

  Accredited trainers are not required to have a formal training manual, per se. According to the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), at Unit III, (A)(3), (A)(4)(d) and (A)(5) of appendix C to 40 CFR part 763, subpart E, a trainer’s application for course approval must include the course curriculum, a…

  • Last published: May 14, 2024

• What are the requirements under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) for refresher training for a person who wants to "step down" his/her certification from contractor/supervisor status to worker status?

  If such a person takes contractor/supervisor refresher courses on an annual basis, that person may perform in both the contractor/supervisor and worker roles. If, however, the person chooses only to take annual worker refresher courses, that person may continue to act in the role of an accredited worker but loses…

  • Last published: May 24, 2024

• What is the applicability of Federal asbestos inspector accreditation requirements under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) to real estate appraisers?

  Real estate appraisers may not assess the suspected presence, location, or condition of asbestos in a school building or a public and commercial building during an appraisal unless they are accredited pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), as conducting an examination…

  • Last published: May 24, 2024

• When would a conflict of interest exist among Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)-accredited personnel?

  A conflict of interest with respect to Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)-accredited personnel would exist if, for example, the management planner and abatement contractor worked for the same firm. The planner might recommend to the LEA more expensive response actions than are necessary in the management plan. Other Frequent Questions…

  • Last published: May 24, 2024

• The training requirements specified in 40 CFR part 763 appear to apply to projects (excluding small-scale, short-duration projects) involving interior building components. Specifically, is roofing work and other exterior work covered?

  Worker training requirements specified in 40 CFR part 763, including those for accreditation under the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), apply to interior building projects done in schools and public and commercial buildings. Additionally, the asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)…

  • Last published: May 30, 2024

• What is the definition of “overburdened community” that is relevant for EPA Actions and Promising Practices?

  EPA Actions and Promising Practices apply the description of overburdened communities articulated in EPA’s Plan EJ 2014. The term is used to describe the minority, low‐income, tribal and indigenous populations or communities in the United States that potentially experience disproportionate environmental harms and risks due to exposures or cumulative impacts…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• How will an EPA regional office determine whether a permitted activity impacts a potential overburdened community? What screening tool or process will EPA regional offices use to screen permit applications?

  The Agency has developed a nationally consistent screening tool to help identify communities that are potentially overburdened. This tool, known as EJSCREEN, is one of several tools being developed under Plan EJ 2014. EPA anticipates that its regional offices will use EJSCREEN and other readily available information, including known community…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• Some of the Promising Practices are mentioned in EPA regulations, guidance and recommendations that EPA has issued in the past. So why is EPA issuing the Promising Practices?

  EPA is issuing Promising Practices to encourage permit applicants to strategically plan and conduct enhanced outreach to overburdened communities in the permitting process. As some commenters noted, EPA has recommended some of the outreach strategies included in Promising Practices previously. Nevertheless, EPA believes that it is important to issue Promising…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• How does a company become a provider of Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)-accredited asbestos training courses?

  Individuals or groups wishing to sponsor training courses for disciplines required to be accredited under section 206(b)(1)(A) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) may apply for approval from states that have accreditation program requirements that are at least as stringent as the EPA Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP). For…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024

• How does the Safe Drinking Water Act limit lead in pipes, plumbing fittings, fixtures, faucets, solder and flux?

  Answer: Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes the definition for “lead free” as a weighted average of 0.25% lead calculated across the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture and 0.2% lead for solder and flux. The Act also provides a methodology…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• Is exposure to lead contaminated drinking water from absorption through skin a health threat?

  Answer: Human skin does not absorb lead in water. For more information visit our website: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water . Question (23002-32377) Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• Are non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) required to monitor for lead and copper?

  Answer: All community water systems (CWSs) and NTNCWSs must collect lead and copper tap samples. The frequency of the monitoring and number of samples to be collected and analyzed is based primarily on the number of people served and tap water monitoring results. For an outline of monitoring requirements (e.g…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• Is there anything else I can do beyond flushing my tap or buying bottled water?

  Answer: Yes, find “Important Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water” if you are concerned about lead in their drinking water. The list is not intended to be exhaustive or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water. EPA recommends you also contact your…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024

• My neighbors got their water tested and found lead. Is my water safe?

  Answer: Lead usually gets into drinking water through contact with plumbing materials such as lead pipes or lead solder, or faucets, valves, and fixtures made of brass (brass contains some lead). Since each home has different plumbing pipes and materials, test results are likely to be different for each home…

  • Last published: November 5, 2024