Task Force to Seek Guidelines for Asbestos

A special Asbestos Abatement Task Force has been organized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to pinpoint crucial problems that are unique to asbestos abatement in occupied, high-rise office buildings.

The panel will hold its initial meetings in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday in an effort to develop guidelines for this type of work. Panelists include William D’Angelo, president of Kaselaan & D’Angelo Associates Inc., a national environmental consulting and engineering firm.

EPA estimates that more than 750,000 buildings nationwide contain potentially hazardous friable asbestos and are selling and leasing at far below their market values. Although most building owners want the asbestos removed, some experts are concerned that the removal work is not being done properly.

Currently, EPA regulates the abatement of asbestos only in school buildings. Work done in high-rise office buildings is generally not regulated by the agency.