Acoustical Insulation
The general application or use of asbestos for the control of sound due to its lack of
reverberant surfaces
Acoustical Tile
A finishing material in a building usually found in the ceiling or walls for the purpose of
noise control
Actinolite
One of the six naturally occurring asbestos minerals. It is not normally used
commercially.
addenda (n)
Changes made to working drawings and specifications for a building before the work is
bid
AHERA
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act U.S. EPA (for schools)
Algorithm
A formal numerical procedure for assessing suspect material; results are given a
numerical score
Alveoli
Located in clusters around the respiratory bronchioles of the lungs, this is the area in
which true respiration takes place; the place where asbestosis attacks
Amosite
An asbestiform mineral of the amphibole group. It is the second most commonly used
form of asbestos in the US. Also known as brown asbestos
Amphibole
One of the two major groups of minerals from which the asbestiform minerals are
derived - distinguished by their chain-like crystal structure and chemical composition.
Amosite and crocidolite are examples of amphibole minerals
Anthophyllite
One of six naturally occurring asbestos minerals. It is of limited commercial value.
Asbestos bodies
Coated asbestos fibers often seen in the lungs of asbestos-exposure victims
Asbestos
A generic name given to a number of naturally occurring hydrating mineral silicates that
possess a unique crystalline structure, are incombustible in air, and are separable into
fibers. Asbestos includes the asbestiform varieties of chrysotile (serpentine); crocidolite
(riebeckite); amosite (cummington-grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite, and actinolite
Asbestos-Containing Building Material
Surfacing ACM, thermal system insulation ACM, or miscellaneous ACM that is found in
or on interior structural members or other parts of a school building (AHERA definition)
Asbestos-Containing Material
Any material or product which contains more than 1 percent asbestos (AHERA, OSHA
definition)
Asbestiosis
, A non-malignant, progressive, irreversible lung disease caused by the inhalation of
asbestos dust and characterized by diffuse fibrosis
ASHARA
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization US EPA regulation enacted
November 28, 1992 which extended accreditation requirements for inspectors,
contractor/supervisors, designers, and workers to public and commercial buildings
Breeching
A duct which transports combustion gases from a boiler to a chimney or stack. Also
called a flue
Building Inspector
A person who conducts a survey of a building for the presence of asbestos-containing
materials. Must be accredited under AHERA and ASHARA regulations
Bulk Sample
Sample of bulk material; in the case of asbestos, suspect material
Category I Nonfriable ACM
Asbestos-containing packing, gaskets, resilient floor covering and asphalt roofing
products containing more than 1% asbestos
Category II Nonfriable ACM
Any material excluding category I Nonfriable ACM, containing more than 1% asbestos
that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure
(example: asbestos/cement products)
Cementitious ACM
Asbestos-containing materials that are densely packed, granular and are generally
nonfriable
Chain-of custody
Formal procedures for tracking samples and insuring their integrity
Change Order
A change to construction documents after a contract for construction has been assigned
Chrysotile
The only asbestiform mineral of the serpentine group. It is the most common known
form of asbestos used in buildings. Also known as white asbestos
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
An industrial hygienist who has been granted certification by the American Board of
Industrial Hygiene
Cilia
Tiny hair-like structures in the windpipe and bronchi of the lung passages which beat
upward and that help force undesirable particles, fibers and liquids up and out of the
lungs
Claims-made insurance
A form of insurance in which a claim is allowed only if the insurance is in effect when the
claim is made, that is, when the injury or effect is observed
Contract documents
Legally binding building drawings and specifications. Also called construction
documents
Crocidolite