New Asbestos Rules of 2019: Everything You Need to Know Now

Oregon adopted new requirements in fall 2018 for handling asbestos. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality requires property owners and contractors to identify asbestos and to properly handle, package and dispose of asbestos waste from demolition and renovation projects. A new requirement that's especially applicable to the real estate industry is the new residential renovation survey requirement.

Properly handling asbestos protects public health. When asbestos is disturbed, tiny fibers are released into the air and may cause lung cancer and other illnesses. There's no known safe level of exposure.

There are three main changes to Oregon’s asbestos requirements:

1. Residential renovation asbestos survey
2. Updated disposal requirements for non-friable waste
3. Accredited laboratories for asbestos testing