Protecting Oregon's Environment
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Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Air Quality

Asbestos

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Handling Asbestos-containing Materials in Your Home

If the asbestos-containing material is NOT broken, worn, damaged or disturbed, it poses little or no danger. Asbestos removal involves disturbing the material and possibly putting asbestos into the air. Leaving asbestos containing material intact is often a safer option.

You may repair or remove asbestos in a house you own and live in. However, DEQ strongly recommends that you not repair or remove asbestos-containing materials yourself. Removing asbestos requires special equipment and detailed training. More importantly, without proper equipment and training, an individual could cause asbestos fiber contamination throughout your home and neighborhood. Call DEQ for more information and advice on the best way to handle asbestos repair or removal in a rental property.

If you do your own asbestos removal work, you are responsible for following all handling, transport and disposal regulations. Asbestos-containing waste requires special handling and disposal and must be deposited at a landfill authorized to handle asbestos waste. Contact DEQ for more information about special disposal requirements for asbestos waste.

  Popcorn ceiling with hazardous asbestos
Popcorn ceiling containing asbestos

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For more information about Air Quality call 503-229-5359 or email.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Headquarters: 811 SW Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204-1390
Phone: 503-229-5696 or toll free in Oregon 1-800-452-4011
Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900  FAX: 503-229-6124

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is a regulatory agency authorized to protect Oregon's environment by
the State of Oregon and the Environmental Protection Agency.

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