X05: In-Place Management – Above Green

(2 points)

INTENT

Reduce or eliminate exposure to hazardous building material ingredients through in-place management of legacy contaminants.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires the application of protocols for the in-place management of legacy building materials asbestos and lead, which are known to be hazardous.

ISSUE

In 2004 alone, over 100,000 people died from asbestos-related disease globally, according to the World Health Organization. This includes mortality and morbidity from cancers related to asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining around the lungs and abdomen. Non-cancer effects associated with asbestos exposure include asbestosis, a chronic inflammation of the lungs. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), lead exposure accounted for 494,550 deaths globally in 2015, with low and middle income countries carrying the highest burdens. Further, IHME estimated that lead exposure was responsible for 12.4% of the global burden of developmental intellectual disability, 3.03% of the global burden of ischaemic heart disease and 3.09% of the global burden of stroke in 2016. Studies examining adults in the general population have found that increased bone and blood lead levels are associated with hypertension. Exposure to lead in early development, frequently a result of lead paint (dust or flakes), even at low levels, is associated with negative impacts on intelligence quotient (IQ), learning, memory and behavior.

SOLUTIONS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends “a pro-active, in-place management program whenever asbestos is discovered." Removal of asbestos is typically not necessary unless the material is severely damaged or will be disturbed due to demolition or renovation. In-place management incurs minimal contaminant release, is less disruptive and is a more cost-effective solution to abatement. Similarly, controlling exposure risk to existing lead-based paint is a meaningful means of mitigating associated negative health impacts.

IMPACT

In-place management of lead and asbestos, where abatement is not feasible, mitigates exposure and health hazards associated with the wear and tear of building materials containing these hazardous substances.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Manage Hazardous Materials (2 points)

Verified by Owner, Remediation Report

For All Spaces

Asbestos:

For buildings constructed prior to any applicable laws banning or restricting asbestos, the following interim strategies for managing existing hazards are conducted and repeated every three years:

Development, maintenance and update of an asbestos management plan in accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), including all necessary actions to minimize asbestos hazards: repair, encapsulation, enclosure, maintenance and removal, following protocol detailed in the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule, 40 CFR Part 763; Subpart E; §763.84-§763.95 or local equivalent.
Asbestos inspection through an accredited professional per the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), National Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) or local equivalent.
Post-abatement clearance for all projects is conducted in accordance with AHERA Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools, 40 CFR Part 763; Subpart E; Appendix A, Mandatory transmission electron microscopy method.

Lead:

For buildings constructed prior to any applicable laws banning or restricting lead paint, the following interim strategies for managing existing hazards are conducted and repeated every three years:

Interim controls are applied per 24 CFR Part 35; Subpart R; §35.1330, Interim controls, from Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing, for paint stabilization of deteriorated paint and treatments for friction and impact surfaces where levels of lead dust are above levels specified in §35.1320, or applicable local law or regulation.
Post-abatement clearance is conducted per 24 CFR Part 35; Subpart R; §35.1340, Clearance.
A reevaluation is conducted and a report produced per 24 CFR Part 35; Subpart R; §35.1355(b), Ongoing lead-based paint maintenance and reevaluation activities.
As provided by 24 CFR Part 35; Subpart B; §35.155, Minimum requirements, interim controls may be performed in combination with, or be replaced by, abatement methods provided by 35.1355, Ongoing lead-based paint maintenance and reevaluation activities.

Student or childcare areas:

Facilities constructed prior to any applicable laws banning or restricting lead paint and serving children under age 6 apply the following:

24 CFR Part 35; Subpart R; 35.1355(d), Chewable surfaces.