Prelim Asbestos Assessment for 737 Bridge Rd FINAL 032321
Preliminary Asbestos Assessment
737 Bridge Road Northampton, Massachusetts
MARCH 2021
PREPARED FOR
Valley Community Development
Corporation
PREPARED BY
SWCA Environmental Consultants
PRELIMINARY ASBESTOS ASSESSMENT
737 BRIDGE ROAD
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Prepared for
Valley Community Development Corporation 256 Pleasant Street, Suite A Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 Attn: Ms. Laura Baker
Prepared by
SWCA Environmental Consultants 15 Research Drive Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 (413) 256-0202 www.swca.com
March 2021
Preliminary Asbestos Assessment, 737 Bridge Road, Northampton, Massachusetts
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CONTENTS
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Site Building Description ..................................................................................................................... 1
3 Preliminary Asbestos Assessment ....................................................................................................... 1
3.1 Asbestos Sampling Methodology ................................................................................................. 1
3.2 Sample Collection and Laboratory Analysis ................................................................................ 1
3.3 Preliminary Asbestos Assessment Results ................................................................................... 2
4 Limitations & exceptions ..................................................................................................................... 3
Tables
Table 1. Asbestos Analytical Results Summary ........................................................................................... 3
Appendices
Appendix A. Asbestos Laboratory Analytical Data Sheets
Preliminary Asbestos Assessment, 737 Bridge Road, Northampton, Massachusetts
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1 INTRODUCTION
SWCA conducted a preliminary asbestos assessment of the former Northampton Nursing Home building
located at 737 Bridge Road in Northampton, Massachusetts on March 16, 2021. The preliminary asbestos
assessment was conducted to provide initial information as to the potential presence and location of
asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in the subject building. This preliminary asbestos assessment is
not meant to satisfy the requirements of full pre-demolition asbestos survey as described in EPA’s
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) regulation. We understand that
Valley CDC intends to bid on the building at auction and is conducting the work to provide initial
estimates on the amount of asbestos in the subject building.
2 SITE BUILDING DESCRIPTION
The subject property consists of the former Northampton Nursing Home located at 737 Bridge Road in
Northampton, Massachusetts and is occupied by a vacant, two-story building constructed in 1971 with
74,000 square feet of floor space. The building is constructed of a slab-on-grade, concrete foundation,
concrete block walls with brick exterior, steel framing and rubber roof. The interior is finished with
gypsum wallboard walls, resilient floor covering materials and suspended ceilings. The heating pipes
within the building are insulated with fiberglass and the pipe fittings are insulated with mudded
insulation. The exterior walls and roof are insulated with fiberglass.
3 PRELIMINARY ASBESTOS ASSESSMENT
SWCA’s preliminary asbestos assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential presence, location, and approximate quantity of accessible asbestos containing materials (ACMs) located on the subject building.
3.1 Asbestos Sampling Methodology
Mr. Joel A. Harris of SWCA, a Massachusetts licensed asbestos inspector (MA License #AI072466),
collected representative samples of materials from the subject buildings on March 16, 2021. Sampling of
suspect ACMs was completed in general accordance with EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response
Act (AHERA) regulations (40 CFR Part 763.85). The samples were collected in a random manner from
homogenous building materials and submitted to a laboratory for asbestos identification, classification
and quantification. The homogenous building materials were assessed according to color, texture,
application and the estimated age of the building component.
3.2 Sample Collection and Laboratory Analysis
The samples were submitted under chain-of-custody (COC) to EMSL Analytical Services Inc. of Woburn, Massachusetts (EMSL) for bulk asbestos identification by Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
according to EPA 600/R-93/166 methodology. EMSL is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries and accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) as an asbestos laboratory. Samples of
building materials consisting of multiple layers were submitted as one unit and then separated by the lab for individual analysis.
Preliminary Asbestos Assessment, 737 Bridge Road, Northampton, Massachusetts
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Thirty-two (32) bulk samples of suspect ACMs were submitted to EMSL for bulk PLM analysis. A
summary of the samples collected, location and analytical results is provided in Table 1 below and asbestos laboratory analytical data sheets are provided in Appendix A. Any material containing greater than 1% asbestos is considered ACM.
3.3 Preliminary Asbestos Assessment Results
As indicated in Table 1, the asbestos laboratory analytical results indicate that six of the suspect building materials located in the subject buildings were found to contain greater than 1% asbestos and are considered ACMs.
Preliminary Asbestos Assessment, 737 Bridge Road, Northampton, Massachusetts
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If renovation/demolition activities are planned for the subject building that would disturb the ACMs found during the preliminary asbestos assessment, a full pre-demolition asbestos survey as described in
EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) regulation should be performed prior to these activities. ACMs must be removed and disposed of by a Massachusetts-licensed asbestos abatement contractor. ACM may be in locations that were not accessible during the preliminary asbestos assessment, such as below concrete floor slabs or in hidden wall cavities.
4 LIMITATIONS & EXCEPTIONS
The preliminary asbestos assessment was performed in accordance with generally accepted practices of other consultants undertaking similar studies at the same time and in the same geographic area. SWCA’s findings and conclusions must not be considered as scientific certainties, but rather as SWCA’s professional opinion concerning the potential significance of the limited data obtained during the course of the assessment. SWCA does not, and cannot, represent that the subject building materials contain no asbestos, or that the subject building is free from latent conditions not observed in the assessment. ACM may be present in locations that were not accessible during the assessment, such as within or below concrete floor slabs or in hidden wall cavities.
SWCA’s report is subject to the agreed terms and conditions provided in our Services Agreement included with our original proposal dated March 11, 2021.
APPENDIX A
Asbestos Laboratory Analytical Report
EMSL Analytical, Inc.
5 Constitution Way, Unit A Woburn, MA 01801
Tel/Fax: (781) 933-8411 / (781) 933-8412
http://www.EMSL.com / bostonlab@emsl.com
132102008EMSL Order:
Customer ID:NEEV25
Customer PO:
Project ID:
Attention:Phone:Joel Harris (413) 530-7520
Fax:SWCA Environmental Consultants
Received Date:15 Research Drive 03/17/2021 9:30 AM
Analysis Date:Amherst, MA 01002 03/22/2021
Collected Date:03/16/2021
Project:66032 - 737 Bridge Road; Northampton, MA
Test Report: Asbestos Analysis of Bulk Materials via EPA 600/R-93/116 Method using Polarized
Light Microscopy
Sample Description Appearance % Fibrous % Non-Fibrous
Non-Asbestos Asbestos
% Type
NH-01A
132102008-0001
20%ChrysotileNon-fibrous (Other)80%Gray/Tan
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Spray-on Fireproofing
NH-01B
132102008-0002
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)Spray-on Fireproofing
NH-01C
132102008-0003
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)Spray-on Fireproofing
NH-01D
132102008-0004
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)Spray-on Fireproofing
NH-01E
132102008-0005
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)Spray-on Fireproofing
NH-02A
132102008-0006
3%ChrysotileNon-fibrous (Other)97%Beige
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
12"x12" Tan w/ Brown
Speck Floor Tile
NH-02C
132102008-0007
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)12"x12" Tan w/ Brown
Speck Floor Tile
NH-02D
132102008-0008
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)12"x12" Tan w/ Brown
Speck Floor Tile
NH-02B
132102008-0009
10%ChrysotileNon-fibrous (Other)90%Black
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Black Mastic
NH-02E
132102008-0010
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)Black Mastic
NH-03A
132102008-0011
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%White
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
12"x12" White w/
Red-Green Speck
Floor Tile
NH-04A
132102008-0012
2%ChrysotileNon-fibrous (Other)8%Min. Wool90%Gray/White/Pink
Fibrous
Homogeneous
2'x4' Fissures & Dots
Ceiling Panel
NH-04C
132102008-0013
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)2'x4' Fissures & Dots
Ceiling Panel
NH-04B
132102008-0014
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)2'x4' Geometric Dots
Ceiling Panel
NH-05A
132102008-0015
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)88%Cellulose
Glass
10%
2%
Gray/Tan
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Gypsum Wallboard
(Sheetrock)
NH-05B
132102008-0016
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)96%Cellulose
Glass
2%
2%
Gray
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Gypsum Wallboard
(Sheetrock)
Initial report from: 03/22/2021 13:28:11
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EMSL Analytical, Inc.
5 Constitution Way, Unit A Woburn, MA 01801
Tel/Fax: (781) 933-8411 / (781) 933-8412
http://www.EMSL.com / bostonlab@emsl.com
132102008EMSL Order:
Customer ID:NEEV25
Customer PO:
Project ID:
Test Report: Asbestos Analysis of Bulk Materials via EPA 600/R-93/116 Method using Polarized
Light Microscopy
Sample Description Appearance % Fibrous % Non-Fibrous
Non-Asbestos Asbestos
% Type
NH-05C
132102008-0017
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)93%Cellulose
Glass
5%
2%
Gray/Tan
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Gypsum Wallboard
(Sheetrock)
NH-06A
132102008-0018
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%White
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Joint Compound
NH-06B
132102008-0019
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%White
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Joint Compound
NH-06C
132102008-0020
2%ChrysotileNon-fibrous (Other)98%Tan
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Joint Compound
NH-07A
132102008-0021
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)40%Cellulose
Min. Wool
20%
40%
Gray
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Mudded Fitting
Insulation
NH-07B
132102008-0022
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)55%Cellulose
Min. Wool
5%
40%
Gray
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Mudded Fitting
Insulation
NH-07C
132102008-0023
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)55%Cellulose
Min. Wool
5%
40%
Gray
Fibrous
Homogeneous
Mudded Fitting
Insulation
NH-08A-Floor Tile
132102008-0024
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Brown/White
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
12"x12" White w/
Brown Spec Floor Tile
& Mastic
NH-08A-Mastic
132102008-0024A
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Black
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
12"x12" White w/
Brown Spec Floor Tile
& Mastic
NH-08B-Floor Tile
132102008-0025
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Brown/White
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
12"x12" White w/
Brown Spec Floor Tile
& Mastic
NH-08B-Mastic
132102008-0025A
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Yellow
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
12"x12" White w/
Brown Spec Floor Tile
& Mastic
NH-09A
132102008-0026
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Black
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Roof Flashing -
Exterior
NH-09B
132102008-0027
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Black
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Roof Flashing -
Exterior
NH-10A
132102008-0028
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Black
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Window Caulking -
Exterior
NH-10B
132102008-0029
None DetectedNon-fibrous (Other)100%Gray
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Window Caulking -
Exterior
NH-11A
132102008-0030
2%ChrysotileNon-fibrous (Other)98%White
Non-Fibrous
Homogeneous
Glue Daubs - White
NH-11B
132102008-0031
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)Glue Daubs - White
NH-11C
132102008-0032
Positive Stop (Not Analyzed)Glue Daubs - White
Initial report from: 03/22/2021 13:28:11
Page 2 of 3ASB_PLM_0008_0001 - 1.78 Printed: 3/22/2021 1:28 PM
EMSL Analytical, Inc.
5 Constitution Way, Unit A Woburn, MA 01801
Tel/Fax: (781) 933-8411 / (781) 933-8412
http://www.EMSL.com / bostonlab@emsl.com
132102008EMSL Order:
Customer ID:NEEV25
Customer PO:
Project ID:
Analyst(s)
Elizabeth Stutts (23)Steve Grise, Laboratory Manager
or Other Approved Signatory
EMSL maintains liability limited to cost of analysis. Interpretation and use of test results are the responsibility of the client. This report relates only to the samples reported above, and may not be
reproduced, except in full, without written approval by EMSL. EMSL bears no responsibility for sample collection activities or analytical method limitations . The report reflects the samples as received.
Results are generated from the field sampling data (sampling volumes and areas, locations, etc.) provided by the client on the Chain of Custody. Samples are within quality control criteria and met
method specifications unless otherwise noted. The above analyses were performed in general compliance with Appendix E to Subpart E of 40 CFR (previously EPA 600/M4-82-020 “Interim Method”)
but augmented with procedures outlined in the 1993 (”final”) version of the method. This report must not be used by the client to claim product certification, approval, or endorsement by NVLAP, NIST
or any agency of the federal government. Non-friable organically bound materials present a problem matrix and therefore EMSL recommends gravimetric reduction prior to analysis . Unless requested
by the client, building materials manufactured with multiple layers (i.e. linoleum, wallboard, etc.) are reported as a single sample. Estimation of uncertainty is available on request.
Samples analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc. Woburn, MA NVLAP Lab Code 101147-0, CT PH-0315, MA AA000188, RI AAL-139, VT AL998919, ME LB-0039
Initial report from: 03/22/2021 13:28:11
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