{"id":375845,"date":"2017-08-21T17:45:38","date_gmt":"2017-08-21T22:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-asbestos-regulations.html"},"modified":"2018-12-11T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T05:00:00","slug":"oregon-asbestos-regulations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/oregon-law\/oregon-asbestos-regulations.html","title":{"rendered":"Oregon Asbestos Regulations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Oregon Asbestos Regulations<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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No one wants to think about potential toxins lurking in the walls around them. But if you\u2019re an Oregonian planning a renovation or demolition, or you work in the construction industry, you\u2019ll need to consider the hazards involved, including the risk of asbestos exposure<\/a>. Whether you\u2019re knocking down a single wall or tearing down a whole office building, you should become familiar with Oregon\u2019s asbestos regulations to ensure you\u2019re following the law and protecting yourself and those around you.<\/p>\r\n

The Dangers of Asbestos<\/h2>\r\n

Asbestos is a mineral that was used for centuries due to its strong, insulating, and fire-proofing characteristics. In the 20th<\/sup> century, it was used heavily in the construction and commercial products industries. While intact, undisturbed, sealed asbestos isn\u2019t considered dangerous, inhaling asbestos fibers<\/a> that are released during renovations, demolition, or other activities can lead to devastating illnesses, such as mesothelioma<\/a> (cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), asbestosis<\/a> (irreversible lung scarring similar to emphysema), and lung cancer.<\/p>\r\n

As the health risks<\/a> of asbestos became more apparent in the 1960s and 1970s, the states and federal government began regulating it more stringently, with many uses banned by 1990. However, since many items and components such as popcorn ceilings<\/a> and wall insulation still contain asbestos, there are many regulations concerning asbestos emissions standards and the removal process.<\/p>\r\n

Federal and Oregon Asbestos Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Both federal and Oregon statutes and regulations seek to reduce asbestos exposure, especially through the training and licensing of asbestos contractors<\/a>. In Oregon, the amount of training and licensing required depends on the levels of responsibility of the contractor or worker and the size of the project. Additionally, buildings must be inspected for asbestos prior to any demolition or renovation, and all asbestos-containing material must be properly disposed of at an approved facility<\/a>. Also, while you\u2019re exempt from many regulations if you\u2019re performing asbestos abatement on your own house, it\u2019s still important to follow proper containment and disposal protocol<\/a> to protect yourself, your family, and the general public.<\/p>\r\n

The following chart provides key sections of Oregon\u2019s asbestos regulations, as well as relevant regulatory agencies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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  • Statutes<\/b><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Asbestos Regulatory Agencies<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Federal<\/b>:<\/p>\r\n

Asbestos Removal Regulations<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n