N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-8.21

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 5:23-8.21 - Air monitoring methodology

(a) Air sampling specified in this section shall be performed by the asbestos safety technician in accordance with the procedures specified in this subchapter and shall be analyzed by a laboratory pursuant to 40 CFR 763.90.

1. For phase contrast microscopy (PCM) analysis, laboratories shall be currently enrolled in the American Industrial Hygiene Association Proficiency Analytical Testing Program or an equivalent recognized program.

2. Analysis by PCM shall use the NIOSH 7400 method delineated in "Fibers" publication in the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, 3rd edition, 2nd supplement, August 1987 or the latest edition. Maximum turnaround time from sample collection through data reporting shall be 24 hours.

3. For transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, laboratories shall participate in the National Institute of Standards and Technology--National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NIST-NVLAP) and shall certify that the analysis they performed was according to the protocol listed in Appendix A to Subpart E of 40 CFR 763. Maximum turnaround time from sample collection through data reporting shall be 72 hours.

4. All pumps shall be calibrated prior to initial sampling using a primary standard. Pumps shall be re-calibrated with a minimum of a secondary standard before and after each sample is collected. Protocols shall be established for periodic calibration, using a primary standard. The frequency of primary recalibration checks shall be initially high, until experience is accumulated to show that it can be reduced while maintaining the required sampling accuracy. Records shall be kept of all calibrations and shall be part of the daily log.

(b) Air sampling while abatement is in progress shall comply with the following procedures:

1. A minimum of three samples per eight hour shift shall be collected (one at the beginning of each shift, one every four hours thereafter, and one at the end of the contractor's work day). One stationary sample shall be collected within the clean room of the decontamination unit and two samples collected adjacent to the work area but remote from the decontamination unit entrance. In the selection of adjacent areas to be monitored, preference shall be given to rooms adjacent to critical barriers and/or work area. Testing results shall not indicate that concentrations above 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter have occurred outside the containment barrier or above 0.02 fibers per cubic centimeter within the clean room of the decontamination chamber during the abatement project.

2. For abatement projects in occupied buildings, additional samples shall be taken in spaces adjacent to the work area and inside the work area and analyzed by PCM as required by 5:23-8.19(c)4. The contingency plan in 5:23-8.19(c)5 shall be followed if test results indicate that this is necessary.

(c) Post abatement visual inspections and air monitoring shall comply with the following procedures:

1. Within 48 hours after clean-up for post-removal air testing, and before the removal of critical barriers, a thorough and complete visual inspection and a subsequent final air test shall be performed. This test is required to establish safe conditions for the removal of critical barriers and to permit the beginning of reconstruction activity, if required. Sufficient time following clean-up activities shall be allowed so that all surfaces shall be dry during monitoring. Air pressure differential filtration units shall be in use during this monitoring. Post removal testing shall begin when all work area surfaces are completely dry.

2. Aggressive air sampling shall be employed using propeller-type fans and leaf blowers as follows:

i. The fans shall be placed in each room to be sampled so as to cause settled fibers to rise and enter the air.

ii. Prior to air monitoring, floors, ceilings, and walls shall be swept with the exhaust of a one-horsepower leaf blower. The areas which would be subject to dead-air conditions shall be swept clean.

iii. The fans used shall be capable of creating a minimum air velocity of 500 feet per minute. These fans may be of the oscillating type.

iv. The sampling pump and sampling media shall be placed in the abatement area on a random basis to provide unbiased and representative samples. Stationary fans shall be placed in locations which will not interfere with air monitoring equipment. Fan air shall be directed toward the ceiling.

v. One fan shall be used for each 10,000 cubic feet of the work area.

vi. The leaf blower and its use must meet the criteria set forth in EPA document 560/5-85-024, "Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings," appendix section M.1.5, or any replacement criteria set forth by the EPA. Their use should be restricted to general occupancy areas that are contained, and they should not be used in any space with an open dirt, sand or gravel floor.

vii. The work site shall be kept free of non-asbestos abatement debris that would render aggressive air sampling impractical.

(d) Post abatement sampling and analysis for an asbestos hazard abatement project shall be performed as per EPA 40 CFR 763.90i. Samples collected within the affected work area shall be analyzed by TEM.

(e) Post abatement sampling and analysis for an asbestos hazard abatement project utilizing the glovebag technique and encapsulation shall be as follows:

1. One sample per 10,000 square feet of work area with a minimum of five samples shall be required. Samples collected within the affected work area may be analyzed by PCM to confirm completion of an asbestos abatement project using the methodology specified in NIOSH 7400.

(f) For TEM analysis, the project shall be considered complete when the results of samples collected in the affected work area comply with 40 CFR 763.90 and Appendix A to Subpart E. Maximum turnaround time from sample collection through data reporting shall be 72 hours.

(g) For PCM analysis, the project shall be considered complete when the results of samples collected in the affected work area show that the concentration of fibers for each of the five samples is less than or equal to 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter.

(h) When the air analysis results for projects covered by this subchapter show asbestos fiber concentrations above the acceptance criteria, then clean-up shall be repeated until compliance is achieved by re-cleaning all surfaces using wet methods and operating all HEPA equipped air pressure differential units to filter the air.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-8.21

New Rule R.1986 d.143, effective 5/5/1986.
See: 18 N.J.R. 378(a), 18 N.J.R. 949(a).
Amended by R.1989 d.342, effective 7/3/1989.
See: 20 N.J.R. 1130(b), 21 N.J.R. 1844(b).
Recodified old 8.20 as new 8.21. Section 8.21 was formerly "Demolition".
Recodified from 5:23-8.23 by R.1993 d.198, effective 6/7/1993.
See: 24 N.J.R. 1422(a), 25 N.J.R. 2519(b).
Prior text at section, "Appeals", repealed.