Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which is both naturally-occurring in ultramafic rock (a rock type commonly found in California ), and used as a processed component of building materials. Because asbestos has been proven to cause a number of disabling and fatal diseases, such as asbestosis and lung cancer, it is strictly regulated either based on its natural widespread occurrence, or in its use as a building material.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District) regulates the demolition and renovation of buildings and structures which may contain asbestos, or milling and manufacturing of specific materials which are known to contain asbestos. The provisions that cover these operations are found in District Regulation 11, Rule 2.
Because asbestos has been used extensively in residential, commercial and industrial construction, District Regulation 11-2-401.3 requires that for every renovation involving the removal of 100 sq ft/lin ft or greater of Regulated Asbestos Containing Material, and for every demolition (even when no asbestos is present), a notification must be made to the BAAQMD at least 10 working days (except in special circumstances) prior to commencement of demolition/renovation. When removing any Regulated Asbestos Containing Material, District regulations must always be followed. Following are links to obtain copies of the Demolition or Renovation notification forms and related material.
The District also enforces the California Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) which regulates the Naturally-Occurring Asbestos (NOA) emissions from grading, quarrying, and surface mining operations at sites which contain ultramafic rock. The provisions that cover these operations are found in the California Code of Regulations, Section 93105.