A Survey of Publicly Funded Asbestos Abatement Projects in the County of Erie,Pennsylvania,USA,during the Time Period 1996-1999

Abstract

A survey of asbestos abatement projects performed by public agencies was undertaken for the County of Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. The time period for this survey was 1996 to November 1999. Project data collected included project name by public agency, name of contractor, quantity of work, cost for this work, and time period over which work was conducted. Initial information on pro jects was obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and was followed up through contact with the specific agency. Comparison of this sur vey with that of one previous during the time period of 1992-1994 suggests the amount of abatement in the public sector has decreased. Distribution of costs be tween bids was nonnormal and appears to best fit a log arithmic distribution. Some information was not avail able from the agencies, suggesting either a lack of un derstanding of environmental regulations or noncom pliance. Information presented provides an insight into the direction of the asbestos abatement industry, its management, liabilities and future problems.