NYS Asbestos Investigator Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
Asbestos types - Answer-Chrysotile,
Amosite,
Crocidolite,
Anthophyllite
Actinolite
Tremolite
ACM is defined as what? - Answer-Asbestos-containing material, defined as any
material containing more than 1% asbestos by weight
When did the EPA guidance go into effect? - Answer-March 31, 1986
Friable Asbestos - Answer-means any ACM applied to ceilings, walls, structural
activities that can be crumbled pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure
Local Education Agency (LEA) - Answer-public school district or any owner of a private,
non-profit or secondary education facility
Response action - Answer-means methods to protect human health and the
environment from ACM
What is the goal AHERA? - Answer-To identify the presence of ACM in a school facility
When is a response action required? - Answer-When damage or potential damage
occurs
ACBM - Answer-Asbestos Containing Building Material
homogenous area - Answer-means an area of surfacing material, thermal insulation, or
miscellaneous material that is uniform in color and texture
miscellaneous building materials - Answer-materials that are not included in thermal or
surfacing, interior building components; floor and ceiling tiles, wall paper, glue
operations and maintenance program - Answer-A program of work practices regarding
ACBM
Surfacing Material - Answer-material sprayed, troweled on or applies to surfaces
(acoustical plaster or fire proofing materials)
,Thermal System Insulation is considered what? - Answer-insulation applied to pipes,
fittings, boilers, tanks, ducts or other structural components to prevent heat loss or gain.
How many samples at minimum should be taken for surfacing material for 1,000 SF or
less - Answer-At least 3
How many samples at minimum should be taken for surfacing material for 1,000 SF to
5,000 SF - Answer-At least 5
How many samples at minimum should be taken for surfacing material for 5,000 SF or
greater - Answer-at least 7
What is the recommended sample number for surfacing material - Answer-always 9
How many samples of thermal insulation should be taken in general? - Answer-At least
3 bulk samples in a random matter of each homogenous material
When can you take 1 sample of thermal insulation - Answer-If the material is a patch
and is less than 6 linear feet
When do you not need to sample thermal insulation? - Answer-If it is fiberglass
How many samples are required for miscellaneous material - Answer-2 or as many as
to determine if it is ACM or not
PLM - Answer-Polarized Light Microscopy
TEM - Answer-transmission electron microscopy
Can bulk samples be composited - Answer-No
When is a material considered asbestos? - Answer-If at least one sample has greater
than 1% ACM
What does the lab need to provide on the report? - Answer-name, address, person
performing and signature, and date of analysis
If there is ACM or suspect ACM what must be done in the report? - Answer-You need to
report the square or linear feet, position of material, floor, and condition of the material
What should diagrams/blueprint have on them for the report/inspection? - Answer-Date
of sampling, address, specific locations of sampled materials, square footage, PACM
What must be on the DEP form regarding the inspectors? - Answer-Name, address, and
signature of each licensed inspector or investigator, and their accreditation number
, What five items should be documented for an inspection? - Answer-1. Date of the
inspection, name, signature, and accreditation number of each inspector performing it
2. Diagram with items marked out
3. Description of the materials and location with inspector or investigator information
with their accreditation number and signature
4. copy of lab results with correct lab info
5. Any suspect ACM or ACBM described with location
Asbestos Characteristics - Answer-heat resistant, chemical resistant, friction resistant,
fire resistant, electrical resistant, acoustical properties, high tensile strength
health effects of asbestos - Answer-asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma
industrial code 56 - Answer-ASBESTOS part __ of Title 12 of the Official Compilation of
Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York
Who does IR 56 not apply for? - Answer-Home owners of single family dwelling that are
performing the work themselves, the manufacturing of asbestos materials or use of
asbestos containing materials in production
HEPA filter - Answer-high efficiency particulate air filter
Where is the word asbestos derived from - Answer-ancient greek
When was asbestos first discovered - Answer-by the romans and Greeks and greeks
reported deaths of slaves
mesothelioma - Answer-Rare malignant tumor arising in the pleura and associated with
asbestos exposure.
Most common type of asbestos - Answer-chrysotile
Amosite - Answer-"Brown" Asbestos. Fibrous Amphibole mineral. 3rd most abundantly
used type in U.S. Primarily used in cement products (Siding and pipes).
Crocidolite - Answer-Blue asbestos was commonly used to insulate steam engines; it
was also used in some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, plastics, and cement
products.
Chrysotile - Answer-white asbestos, accounts for about 95% of asbestos found
acoustics - Answer-the application of asbestos in controlling acoustics in a building
structures was used extensively prior to 1970's
TSCA - Answer-Toxic Substances Control Act
