Air Quality Matters!

Please note – effective January 1, 2024 – the hours for Public Health Environmental Health will be:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, closed for lunch from 11:30-12:30.

Asbestos image

Effective January 1, 2018, the Ohio Department of Health’s asbestos program will be transferred to the Ohio EPA’s Division of Air Pollution Control. To learn about the upcoming changes and implementation of the new notification submittal process for RAPCA’s 6-county area, please view the document below. pdf RAPCA Asbestos Outreach (536 KB)

Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been used widely in many industries, including the building and construction industries for roofing, fireproofing, sound absorption and thermal system insulation.  Asbestos has also been used in other building materials such as ceiling and floor tiles, adhesives, leveling compounds, drywall joint compound, plaster, pipe insulation, and cement board siding and shingles.

People may be exposed to asbestos if asbestos containing products are disturbed and tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, these fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious health problems, including cancer.

RAPCA enforces federal, state, and local asbestos regulations to protect the public from asbestos fibers that may become airborne if strict adherence to regulations is not followed when a building is being renovated or demolished.

Owners and/or contractors are required to comply with asbestos regulations. Before any type of renovation or demolition project is to begin, you must determine if it is subject to the asbestos regulations.

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