Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:1850:p67
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1850 (pt 67/117)
Character Range: 534450–537421

the focus should then be on management, as there is yet no validated method of reliably estimating the concentration of free asbestos fibres in soil.

A video and/or photographic log may assist with site documentation.

    11.2.3      Sampling
Sampling during a PSI is generally not recommended, since either an asbestos management strategy may be adequately defined without it or because it is evident that a DSI will be necessary. Limited sampling during the PSI may be appropriate, however, in the following circumstances:

    * to confirm that suspect material contains asbestos
    * to roughly delineate the extent of bonded asbestos-containing-material (bonded ACM) contamination in surface soil or fill
    * to inform the sampling and analysis plan for a DSI
    * to inform consideration of appropriate management options.
Issues that should be considered during preliminary assessment are described below.

11.2.3.1     Condition of asbestos materials
Bonded ACM fragments are often present as surface deposits on sites due to poor demolition and building practices. While isolated fragments in good condition across the surface of a site are usually of low concern, surface material may present an exposure risk to airborne fibres over time from deterioration of the bonding compound through corrosive weathering, abrasion or crushing by vehicle traffic and other activities.

Bonded ACM may be able to be easily broken by hand force and be more readily crumbled when water-saturated or corroded. In a partially crumbled state, bonded ACM may be of greater concern, particularly if it is exposed at the surface and susceptible to abrasion during land use. In particular, roofing material containing asbestos may be heavily weathered, which can corrode the cement matrix and expose fibrous asbestos to the atmosphere.

Bonded ACM that can be easily crushed by hand should be considered friable and assessed for management actions accordingly. Similarly, unbonded asbestos or fibrous asbestos (FA), including loose material such as insulation products and damaged low density board (up to 70% asbestos in calcium silicate), are considered friable.

The condition of asbestos materials should be considered equivalent to the most degraded samples found in the relevant assessment area.

11.2.3.2     Condition of the soil and future uses
Generally accepted guidance for considerations of site setting and characteristics should be applied when developing the scope of an investigation and when developing management strategies and cleanup methods. Any potential for exposure of bonded ACM to an acid generating environment may be a factor that will increase the potential for release of fibres from the bonded matrix. Many Australian soils are weakly acidic, however, some sites may contain acid sulfate soils or other acidic soil conditions that can lead to faster rates of degradation. The clay and moisture content of soils is also a consideration, as these