Welcome to the home page of the Asbestos Program. Please use the left navigation buttons to find specific information.

The Asbestos Program within the Environmental Health and Drinking Water Section of the Department of Public Health is responsible for the oversight of asbestos regulations that ensure asbestos work and those who conduct it are properly accredited and licensed. The Asbestos Program serves the public, local health, local building, and local education agencies with regulatory guidance regarding asbestos abatement.

The goal of the Asbestos Program is to reduce exposure to asbestos, which is a known cancer-causing substance. Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are still brought into the United States and can be commonly found in existing buildings. ACM was used in over 3,000 building materials and products.

The Asbestos Program makes sure that asbestos is removed properly as required by law. All facilities from sheds to commercial establishments are covered under the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies asbestos regulations. The Asbestos Program works together with the Environmental Practitioner Licensing Program to license and regulate asbestos abatement contractors and asbestos consultants. The Asbestos Program communicates routinely with local health departments regarding notices of renovation and demolition received and on complaints. The Asbestos Program is also responsible for ensuring that asbestos-containing materials in schools (Kindergarten through Grade 12) are correctly managed. These regulations apply to all K-12 public and private, not-for-profit schools. 

Other agencies that regulate asbestos include the US EPA, US Department of Labor, OSHA and for regulations pertaining to municipal workers, the state Department of Labor, OSHA. CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) regulates asbestos spills and asbestos waste and reports directly to EPA on Title V facilities.

The US EPA is responsible for enforcing the federal asbestos regulations for renovation and demolition. A “facility”, as defined by 40 CFR, Part 61, Subpart M, the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) must be inspected prior to renovation or demolition. Notification requirements apply whenever the threshold of ACM to be abated is equal to or greater than 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet for renovations and for all demolitions, even when there is no asbestos present.  EPA requires 10 working days for notification.  The EPA notification form contains information not included on the state notification form. For more on the asbestos NESHAP, see Resource Links.