Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4
Standard Operating Procedure
Asbestos (actinolite, amosite, anthyphyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite)
This is an SOP template and is not complete until: 1) lab specific information is entered into the box
below 2) lab specific protocol/procedure is added to the protocol/procedure section and
3) SOP has been signed and dated by the PI and relevant lab personnel.
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
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Purpose
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Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#
1332-21-4
Class:
Carcinogen (IARC Group 1)
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Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4
Molecular formula:
Asbestos is the generic name for a variety of naturally formated hydrated
silicates containing metal cations such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, or iron.
Form (Physical State): White, cream, brown or blue fibrous material; cream to beige or brown hard
solid if present as asbestos cement
Potential Hazards/Toxicity

Acute Toxicity (inhalation): Pleural effusion, dyspnea, structural or functional change in trachea
or bronchi, enzyme inhibition.

Repeated Exposure: An increase in the incidence of pneumonitis and abnormalities detected by
chest X-ray after more than 20 years of initial exposure. Potentially fatal asbestosis after more
than 20 years of incubation. Mild increase in the incidence of fatal, nonmalignant or malignant
respiratory diseases after 20-40 years of incubation. An increase in the incidence of chronic
laryngitis.

Carcinogencity: Known to cause cancer (OSHA Regulated, IARC & NTP Group 1).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All persons shall wear personal protective equipment when handling asbestos. This includes
wearing a lab coat, nitrile gloves, and closed toe shoes when working with asbestos. Leave lab
coats, gloves, and other personal protective equipment in the lab once your work is complete to
prevent the spread of this or other chemicals outside of the lab.
Respirator Protection
Use a half-face respirator with HEPA cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
 When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL
will be exceeded.
 Regulations require the use of a respirator.
 An employer requires the use of a respirator.
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Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4


There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of
PEL)
As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is
a regulatory requirement.

Engineering Controls

All operations involving asbestos should be carried out in a certified chemical fume hood,
glovebox, or a ducted Biosafety cabinet to keep airborne level below recommended exposure
limits.

Chemical fume hoods used as containment areas asbestos must have a face velocity of 100
feet/min, averaged over the face of the hood and must be certified annually.

Laboratory rooms must be at negative pressure with respect to the corridors and external
environment. The laboratory/room door must be kept closed at all times.

Vacuum lines are to be protected by HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters or higher
efficiency scrubbers.
First Aid Procedures

General Advice: Wash off immediately with soap and plenty of water. In the case of respirable
dust and/or fumes, use self-contained breathing apparatus and dust impervious protective suit.
Use personal protective equipment.

Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If irritation persists,
consult a physician.

Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothes and shoes, rinse skin with plenty of water or
shower. Use soap to help assure removal. If irritation persists, consult a physician.

Eye Contact: Remove any contact lenses at once. Flush eyes well with a large amount of
running water for at least 15 minutes. Assure adequate flushing by separating the eyelids with
sterile fingers. If irritation persists, consult a physician.
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Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4

Ingestion: Rinse mouth, give plenty of water to dilute the substance. Never give anything by
mouth to an unconscious person. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements

An exposure determination for the lab’s use of asbestos must be performed prior to any work.
Contact the Industrial Hygiene division of EH&S to schedule an exposure determination before
beginning work with asbestos.

All work with asbestos is to be done in the "asbestos" designated area in order to keep
contamination to a minimum. (State the location of the designated area including the fume hood
where work should be done and the storage location)

All chemicals containing asbestos must be secondarily contained with proper signage.
Containers of asbestos and designated areas, including storage cabinets, must be labeled with a
“CANCER HAZARD” warning. Any persons in this area are required to wear personal
protective equipment. Safety shower and eye wash stations should be easily accessible where
asbestos is used.

All laboratory equipment (such as beakers, pipettes, etc.) used in the "asbestos" designated area
are to be labeled as "asbestos contaminated" and are not to be removed from the area without
first being decontaminated.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Toxic, irritating dust or smoke may be emitted in a fire. In the event of fire, evacuate and bar further
entry.
Chemical Spill
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing dust. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent
material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear plastic
bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Large (>1 L) – Contact EH&S for assistance at (480) 965-1823 for non-emergencies. For emergency
situations Dial 911.
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Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency
shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from
the emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical
attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening emergency, After Hours, Weekends and Holidays – Dial 911 or go to the nearest
emergency room.) Note: All Serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF). After hours go to
the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected
area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the
affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Page the needle stick nurse \ and then enter your
extension. After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures
must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Waste disposal procedures
1. All solid asbestos contaminated waste shall be disposed of into waste containers specifically
designated for asbestos waste. Examples of solid asbestos waste material include empty
containers that held asbestos, gloves, and paper towels.
2. Waste containers must be labeled with “CANCER HAZARD” warning.
3. Once the waste container is full, dispose of according the EH&S hazardous waste guidelines.
Decontamination of Equipment and Work Areas
I. Securing the Vacuum for Storage:
If cleaning and decontamination is to be done later, this sealing procedure will assure safe
storage of the equipment until next use.
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Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4
After the abatement of asbestos containing material, be sure to cover the end of the Vacuum
with Duct tape to insure no release of asbestos fibers.
This activity of securing the vacuum is to be done at the same site as the abatement. Securing
the vacuum in the same area is a way of maintaining that NO contamination is spread to a clean
area.
II. Cleaning and Decontamination of Asbestos contaminated Vacuum:
After completing abatement of asbestos insulation the following procedure is for the cleaning
and decontamination of the vacuum.
1. checklist of Decontamination equipment
a. Water source ( Hudson sprayer)
b. (2) Large heavy duty, OSHA Approved asbestos disposal plastic bags
c. Surfactant liquid
2. Personal Protective Equipment
a. Tyvek™
b. Respirator with HEPA filter
c. Some type of rubber/nitrile surgical gloves
3. After completion of the job take a small container of water and mix with surfactant.
4. Place vacuum hose in container and turn on vacuum to take in all water/surfactant mix. (this
will clean out the hose of any residual fibers.)
Note: You will need 2 people working on the remainder of this decon procedure.
5. Slowly, remove the top of the vacuum
6. Open 1 of the heavy duty Asbestos disposal plastic bags and while holding the top of the
vacuum over this bag, rinse this top with water surfactant mix from a sprayer.
7. Wet thoroughly the inside of the lower portion of the vacuum.
8. Carefully dump the bottom section of the vacuum into the plastic collection bag and continue to
spray to clean out residue from the bottom section of the vacuum.
9. Once bottom section of the vacuum is clean the whole vacuum can be dried and reassembled for
safe storage.
10. In this same bag discard all PPE, cartridges and glove bags. Seal this bag by goose necking the
bag and duct taping it securely.
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Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4
Open second OSHA asbestos disposal bag and place the first in it. Securely close this double bag in the
same manner as the first OSHA asbestos disposal bag.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label waste
 Attach a completed ASU Hazardous Waste tag to all waste containers as soon as the first drop
of waste is added to the container.
Store waste
 Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated
storage location.
 Double-bag dry waste using sealable transparent bags.
 Waste must be under the control of the person generating and disposing of it.
Dispose of waste
 Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days.
 Use EHS Assistant online hazardous waste pick-up request system.
 Contact ASU EH&S at (480) 965-1823 with questions.
Protocol / Procedure
Laboratory-specific procedures
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Any deviation from this SOP requires advance PI approval.
Documentation of Training
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
Prior to conducting any work with this material, Principal Investigator or designee must
provide to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this
substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP
and a copy of the MSDS provided by the manufacturer.
The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended
appropriate/required laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP.
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Asbestos, CAS # 1331-21-4
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