Hazardous Building Materials

Asbestos containing materials, as well as other hazardous building materials such as lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), were routinely used in building construction through the late 1970's.  While the amounts of these materials located in buildings has decreased significantly, the result of removal associated with construction/renovation activities, their presence still exists in some University of New Hampshire buildings.  Hazardous building materials can exist in the form of pipe insulation, floor tiles, mastic adhesive, fire proofing, surface finishes, and window caulking.

These materials are highly regulated at the federal and state level by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the New Hampshire Departments of Environmental Services and Health and Human Services.

To ensure the safety of building occupants and to maintain compliance with applicable regulations, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety has developed a Hazardous Building Materials Operations and Maintenance Program.  The program includes provisions for the identification of suspected materials, procedures for routine inspections of identified materials, controls to ensure materials remain in good condition, and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety maintains a database detailing known locations of asbestos containing materials.  If you have questions about a particular location or questions regarding asbestos or other hazardous building materials, contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at (603) 862-4041 or contact the Hazardous Building Material Program Coordinator Brian Cournoyer at (603) 862-4761, brian.cournoyer@unh.edu or the designated alternate Program Coordinator Matthew Smith at (603) 862-4266, matthew.smith@unh.edu.

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Contact Information

Brian Cournoyer, Occupational Health and Safety Manager
Phone: (603) 862-4761
Email: brian.cournoyer@unh.edu

Matthew Smith, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
Phone: (603) 862-4266
Email: matthew.smith@unh.edu