The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required by the Clear Air Act to produce regulations to regulate air pollutants hazardous to health. These are called the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Asbestos is one of these and regulating it was delegated to the Department.

The EPA is also required under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) to produce regulations about asbestos in schools. Under AHERA the schools are required to inspect their buildings for asbestos and develop a plan to manage asbestos and develop a plan to manage the asebestos. The Department inspects public and private schools for compliance with AHERA.

The Department regulates asbestos in many ways:

Licenses are required for companies that abate asbestos under COMAR 26.11.21.

Training received by asbestos workers and those persons working with asbestos in schools and public and commercial buildings is covered in COMAR 26.11.23.

Compliance inspections are carried out in schools that have to comply with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.

3 Rivers Asbestos Services is fully trained, licensed, bonded and insured to preform inspection and abatement services in compliance with all AHERA and EPA laws