Asbestos regulation is primarily intended to protect the public from exposure to the hazardous material. Commercial and industrial products (ranging from floor tiles and fire-proofing to irons and break pads) regularly contained asbestos and asbestos-laden materials; however, asbestos regulation prohibits the use of the metamorphic mineral in any capacity.

Although asbestos regulation inhibits the manufacture of asbestos products, it can do little to control the ones that are already in circulation. Asbestos insulation was the most common use of the mineral because of its resistance to fire / heat, its flexibility and its tensile strength. As such, a large number of buildings throughout the United States still have asbestos insulation lining the walls.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that asbestos insulation only poses a health risk if it has been damaged or torn in some way (exposing asbestos). Asbestos sealed within insulation poses no immediate danger.

If damaged asbestos insulation is found in a building, there are two options through which to deal with the issue; removal or repair. The EPA suggests that whenever possible, asbestos insulation should be repaired rather than removed because removal leads to a greater degree of exposure. Only when absolutely necessary should asbestos insulation be removed.

Asbestos NESHAP Program On March 31st, 1971, The EPA labeled asbestos a "hazardous pollutant." Recognizing the extent of the mineral's airborne toxicity capability, the EPA formally announced the establishment of the Asbestos NESHAP (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) program.

The primary function of the Asbestos NESHAP program is the oversight of all demolition / renovation projects involving the removal of asbestos in order to protect the general health of the public. As of 1982, the EPA shifted responsibility for the management and enforcement of the Asbestos NESHAP program to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Implementation of the Asbestos NESHAP program requires the Florida DEP to oversee all activities that involve the handling, processing and disposal of asbestos and asbestos-laden materials (limiting the atmospheric release of asbestos fibers).

The Asbestos NESHAP program established a strict set of regulations that must be followed during the renovation or demolition of any structure found to contain asbestos materials. Adherence to the program is required for all structures, installations and buildings, except for residential buildings that comprise fewer than four "dwelling units" (room(s) housing a single grouping of inhabitants).

Even though asbestos-laden materials are no longer used in the construction of buildings, all newly constructed buildings are also subject to the same asbestos regulations as older buildings. Whenever a demolition is required, asbestos regulations require the owner to notify the appropriate DEP District Office or Local Pollution Control Agency. A building slated for demolition is analyzed to determine the levels of asbestos (if any) present in the structure.

If asbestos levels are found to exceed certain regulatory parameters, Asbestos NESHAP work practice standards are enforced on the building's demolition. The Asbestos NESHAP work practice standards are designed to ensure that asbestos materials are dealt with and disposed of in the safest possible manner.