Asbestos in Florida

Asbestos Exposure in Florida

Hundreds of Florida buildings harbor asbestos-containing materials (ACM). As long as they are not damaged or disturbed, they are considered nearly harmless. However, many business and property owners in the state have taken steps to remove the asbestos material from their buildings out of fear of harm to the public. The number of asbestos lawsuits filed (and won) in Florida is also a motivator to prevent harmful exposure. Others have left the materials in place. Instead, they’ve developed awareness and management programs. These programs help to manage the asbestos at these facilities.

In May 2021, employees of Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office protested outside the sheriff’s office. They demanded temporary relocation of 911 dispatchers during an asbestos removal project. County officials said the removal project followed all safety measures required by law to protect workers from exposure. Dust samples revealed no asbestos contamination outside the removal area.

Florida’s Occupations and Areas at Risk

Five asbestos processing plants previously operated throughout the state. Other industries such as construction and mining used asbestos extensively in the workplace. Those with jobs at shipyards, power plants, chemical plants, metal works factories and auto repair shops were likely to encounter asbestos in the workplace. Occupations in schools, electrical work, plumbing and home repair also present a risk of exposure.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), nestled in Florida’s central East Coast, has also used asbestos. The material was particularly useful for fireproofing purposes on the space shuttle. Technical reports released by NASA indicate that asbestos blocks have been used as soldering bases. Asbestos composites have also been used in pressurized vessels.

Many public buildings contain asbestos. Florida laws and regulations are in place to help prevent exposure and make the right entities responsible for containing or abating the materials. For example, Florida State University (FSU) has identified several buildings that house asbestos-containing material. FSU manages the materials under the guidance of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This is just one example of the effort put forth by facilities in the state. The state has made great efforts to monitor and manage known asbestos sites by implementing a special program.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Asbestos Removal Program

The intent of the Florida DEP Asbestos Removal Program is to prevent the release of fibers into the outside air during renovation and demolition activities. The program began in 1982 when the EPA delegated enforcement authority to the state.

The program requires notification to the Florida DEP about removing asbestos from certain types of facilities throughout Florida that potentially contain contaminated materials. These include institutional, commercial, public, and industrial structures and residential buildings with four or more units; as well as ships or any active or inactive waste disposal sites.

Penalties for Violating Removal Laws

It doesn’t take much to earn the label “asbestos-containing.” In Florida and across the country, all forms of asbestos (even in small amounts) are considered dangerous. Asbestos-containing materials refer to any materials that contain more than 1% asbestos. Florida has set laws to regulate the removal of such materials, with some hefty penalties for violating these laws.

The Department of Environmental Protection sets non-compliance fees high. Currently, financial penalties are the only punishments for skirting the law. If an individual or individuals are harmed during the removal of asbestos from any site in Florida, filing a lawsuit is the only recourse. Financial penalties are assessed for failure to comply with notification laws, waste shipment violations, and work-practice and emission violations. Penalties depend on the specific type of violation and whether it’s the first, second, or third violation, and range from $500 up to $10,000.

Florida residents don’t have to be concerned about environmental sources of asbestos. The mineral does not occur naturally in the Sunshine State. However, exposure through contaminated products is possible. Becoming informed about preventing exposure is the best approach to avoid contact with the toxic mineral.

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