South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-86.1 - STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE FOR ASBESTOS PROJECTS
Section 61-86.1.VII - STANDARDS FOR AIR SAMPLERS

1. Area air sampling shall be performed by a licensed air sampler.

2. Abatement air sampling data collected by a licensed air sampler under contract with or employed by the asbestos contractor performing the abatement will not be acceptable to the Department.

3. Air sampling shall be conducted using collection media, procedures, and analytical methods in accordance with NIOSH Method 7400 when Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) is used, and with Electron Microscope Measurement of Airborne Asbestos Concentrations [EPA Report 600/2-77-178 (1978) and EPA Contract No. 68-02-3266 (1984)] when Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is used.

4. Any alternative procedure for clearance sampling shall require prior written approval from the Department. The written request must provide a detailed description of the alternative procedure and an explanation of how it will provide an equivalent level of protection to facility occupants.

5. The air sampler shall:

1. The air sampler shall collect a minimum of five air samples at a NESHAP abatement project prior to the start of abatement activities in order to obtain an index of background airborne fiber concentrations.

2. Samples shall be taken both inside and outside the work area to establish existing ambient air levels under normal activity conditions.

3. The air sampler shall document any variations and justifications for the variations, and shall maintain a written copy of the sampling variation(s) at the project site for the duration of the abatement, and shall provide the information to the Department upon request.

4. No background air sampling is required at small, minor, and O&M abatement projects.

5. Background sampling, when required, may be analyzed using PCM methods.

1. Once abatement activities begin at a NESHAP abatement project, the air sampler shall conduct representative daily area sampling in the following areas:

2. The air sampler shall document any variations and justifications for the variations, and shall maintain a written copy of the sampling variation at the project site for the duration of the abatement and provide the information to the Department upon request.

3. Daily air sampling, when required, may be analyzed using PCM methods.

1. Where clearance air monitoring is required by this regulation, the clearance standard for any NESHAP abatement project shall be: by Phase Contrast Microscopy less than or equal to 0.01 f/cc; or by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The clearance standard is less than or equal to 70 s/mm2 using the Mandatory TEM Method described in 40 CFR 763, Appendix A of Subpart E, as amended, and any subsequent amendments and editions. The Z test with a value of Z less than or equal to 1.65 for a Z test carried out as described in 40 CFR 763, Appendix A of Subpart E, as amended, and any subsequent amendments and editions, shall be allowed for clearance purposes only with prior Department approval.

2. The total volume of air collected for clearance air sampling shall be in accordance with 40 CFR Part 763 and/or NIOSH 7400 and any subsequent revisions for analytical methodology.

3. A licensed air sampler shall conduct, at a minimum, PCM clearance air monitoring at the completion of each NESHAP project. Projects exceeding the project design threshold (3,000 sf, 1,500 Lf, and 656 cubic feet of RACM) will require TEM clearance air monitoring.

4. When conducting clearance air monitoring, the air sampler shall follow the procedures specified in Measuring Airborne Asbestos Following An Abatement Action, EPA Report 600/4-85-049 (1985), which is hereby incorporated by reference, or an equivalent method acceptable to the Department. Procedures shall be summarized and submitted to the facility owner. The air sampler shall report the clearance air monitoring results in writing to the facility owner within five working days following completion of the project and to the Department upon request.

5. Sampling shall not begin until wet cleaning has been completed and no visible pools of water or condensation remain. Sufficient time shall be allowed for all surfaces to dry. The sampling zone shall be representative of the building occupants' breathing zone.

6. Sampling shall not begin until the air sampler has performed a visual inspection and authorizes final clearance air monitoring.

7. Sampling shall be conducted only after all interior wall, ceiling, and floor polyethylene sheeting has been removed. Critical barriers and the five-stage decontamination enclosure system shall remain in place until the abated area has passed final clearance.

8. For projects subject to 40 CFR Part 763, AHERA, as amended, and any subsequent amendments or editions, conduct clearance air monitoring after abatement in areas to be reoccupied (including interior spaces, porticos, and covered exterior walkways) and abatement on exterior portions of mechanical systems used to condition interior spaces. For projects equal to or greater than 160 sf, 260 Lf or 35 cubic feet, TEM clearance air monitoring is required.

9. At least one licensed asbestos project supervisor shall remain at an asbestos project site for the duration of the final clearance visual inspection and clearance air sample collection process.