Page 1 of 134
Texas Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Exam ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage
The Texas Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Exam tests knowledge of state and federal regulations (DSHS,
OSHA, EPA/NESHAP, AHERA), asbestos types and health effects (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma),
permissible exposure limits (PEL 0.1 f/cc), respirator types and fit-testing, negative pressure enclosures,
glovebag and mini-enclosure procedures, decontamination protocols, work area isolation, air
monitoring and clearance, waste handling and disposal, recordkeeping (30-year retention), and
supervisor responsibilities (onsite 100% of time, 20% inside containment) .
1. The primary health risk from occupational asbestos exposure is:
A) Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
B) Silicosis and asthma
C) Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma
D) Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Answer: C
Asbestos fibers are carcinogenic and fibrogenic; inhalation causes asbestosis (scarring), lung cancer, and
mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura/peritoneum). These are the three main asbestos-related diseases
with long latency periods .
2. According to OSHA, the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for asbestos is:
A) 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as an 8-hour TWA
, Page 2 of 134
B) 0.5 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as a 15-minute STEL
C) 1.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as an 8-hour TWA
D) No PEL was established for asbestos
Answer: A
*OSHA’s PEL for asbestos is 0.1 f/cc averaged over an 8-hour work shift. This limit is designed to
minimize long-term health risks. Excursion limit is 1.0 f/cc over 30 minutes .*
3. A fiber is defined by OSHA as a particle longer than 5 micrometers with an aspect ratio (length:width)
of at least:
A) 2:1
B) 3:1
C) 4:1
D) 10:1
Answer: B
OSHA defines an asbestos fiber as a particle >5 μm in length with an aspect ratio ≥3:1. This standardizes
counting methods for exposure monitoring .
, Page 3 of 134
4. Which state agency regulates asbestos abatement activities in Texas?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
C) Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
D) Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
Answer: C
The Texas DSHS (Department of State Health Services) enforces state asbestos rules under 25 TAC §295,
consistent with federal standards. They issue licenses for contractors, supervisors, inspectors, and
workers .
5. Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) is legally defined as any material containing more than:
A) 0.1% asbestos
B) 0.5% asbestos
C) 1.0% asbestos
D) 5.0% asbestos
Answer: C
, Page 4 of 134
EPA and OSHA define ACM as any material with >1% asbestos by weight. Materials below this threshold
are not regulated as ACM .
6. Friable asbestos-containing material is defined as material that:
A) Cannot be crumbled by hand pressure
B) Can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure
C) Is always non-hazardous
D) Contains less than 1% asbestos
Answer: B
Friable ACM easily releases fibers into the air when dry because it can be crushed by hand pressure. This
is the most hazardous type of ACM because fibers become airborne readily .
7. The most common type of asbestos found in buildings in the United States, comprising approximately
90-95% of asbestos used, is:
A) Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
B) Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
C) Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
D) Tremolite
Texas Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Exam ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage
The Texas Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Exam tests knowledge of state and federal regulations (DSHS,
OSHA, EPA/NESHAP, AHERA), asbestos types and health effects (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma),
permissible exposure limits (PEL 0.1 f/cc), respirator types and fit-testing, negative pressure enclosures,
glovebag and mini-enclosure procedures, decontamination protocols, work area isolation, air
monitoring and clearance, waste handling and disposal, recordkeeping (30-year retention), and
supervisor responsibilities (onsite 100% of time, 20% inside containment) .
1. The primary health risk from occupational asbestos exposure is:
A) Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
B) Silicosis and asthma
C) Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma
D) Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Answer: C
Asbestos fibers are carcinogenic and fibrogenic; inhalation causes asbestosis (scarring), lung cancer, and
mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura/peritoneum). These are the three main asbestos-related diseases
with long latency periods .
2. According to OSHA, the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for asbestos is:
A) 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as an 8-hour TWA
, Page 2 of 134
B) 0.5 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as a 15-minute STEL
C) 1.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as an 8-hour TWA
D) No PEL was established for asbestos
Answer: A
*OSHA’s PEL for asbestos is 0.1 f/cc averaged over an 8-hour work shift. This limit is designed to
minimize long-term health risks. Excursion limit is 1.0 f/cc over 30 minutes .*
3. A fiber is defined by OSHA as a particle longer than 5 micrometers with an aspect ratio (length:width)
of at least:
A) 2:1
B) 3:1
C) 4:1
D) 10:1
Answer: B
OSHA defines an asbestos fiber as a particle >5 μm in length with an aspect ratio ≥3:1. This standardizes
counting methods for exposure monitoring .
, Page 3 of 134
4. Which state agency regulates asbestos abatement activities in Texas?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
C) Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
D) Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
Answer: C
The Texas DSHS (Department of State Health Services) enforces state asbestos rules under 25 TAC §295,
consistent with federal standards. They issue licenses for contractors, supervisors, inspectors, and
workers .
5. Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) is legally defined as any material containing more than:
A) 0.1% asbestos
B) 0.5% asbestos
C) 1.0% asbestos
D) 5.0% asbestos
Answer: C
, Page 4 of 134
EPA and OSHA define ACM as any material with >1% asbestos by weight. Materials below this threshold
are not regulated as ACM .
6. Friable asbestos-containing material is defined as material that:
A) Cannot be crumbled by hand pressure
B) Can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure
C) Is always non-hazardous
D) Contains less than 1% asbestos
Answer: B
Friable ACM easily releases fibers into the air when dry because it can be crushed by hand pressure. This
is the most hazardous type of ACM because fibers become airborne readily .
7. The most common type of asbestos found in buildings in the United States, comprising approximately
90-95% of asbestos used, is:
A) Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
B) Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
C) Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
D) Tremolite
