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Asbestos containing materials, as well as other hazardous building materials such as lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), were routinely used in building construction through the late 1970's. While the amounts of these materials located in buildings has decreased significantly as a result of removal associated with construction/renovation activities, they are still present in some American University buildings.

Regulated building materials may exist in building materials such as walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, caulk, glazing, mastic, paint, light fixtures, fireproofing, and equipment.ÌýRegulated building materials pose no health risk when left alone and intact; however, during maintenance, renovation, or demolition, materials that may pose health risks must be managed, abated, and disposed of appropriately according to regulations.

Renovations

It is important to identify hazardous materials during the early planning and design phase of a renovation or building project. Identifying impacted hazardous materials proactively is the best way to ensure a project proceeds smoothly, avoiding unexpected costs, budget delays, health and environmental hazards, and regulatory violations. Environmental Health & Safety has created a checklist to guide university staff members overseeing renovations involving hazardous building materials. Please see our resources.

There are two methodsÌýof Identifying Hazardous Building Materials.

1. Consult Our Historical Data Base: Use Archibus to conduct a historical evaluation of your building site to identify removed, known, and/or presumed hazmat. This will inform what kind of sampling and remediation efforts, if any, are needed! This data base requires special access. Please email Environmental Health & Safety if you need access granted. To learn how to access and use the data base and more please see our resources.
2. Conduct an Hazardous Building Material Survey (HBMS): A HBMS is a survey conducted by a third party Industrial Hygienist that identifies the presence of hazardous materials in the scope of work of a renovation project.