There   are   three   terms   associated   with asbestos  dust  particle  size  that  you  will encounter.   These   terms   are   m i c r o n, nanometer,  and  angstrom.  To  give  you  an idea of their size, in 1 meter there are 1 million microns,  1  billion  nanometers,  and  10  billion angstroms. It   was   not   until   the   advent   of   the transmission   electron   microscope   and   the scanning electron microscope in the latter part of  the  1950s  that  the  true  size  (200  to  250 angstroms)   of   an   asbestos   particle   was discovered.   Air   that   appears   dust-free   may contain millions of disease-producing asbestos dust   particles.   These   minuscule’   particles cannot  be  seen  by  the  naked  eye  and  can remain  suspended  in  the  air  for  months.  In working  to  solve  this  problem,  you  must  take air  samples  to  ascertain  the  severity  of  the situation.  The  air  must  be  scrubbed  with  a special  air  filtration  machine  to  remove  the particles. Naval   guidance   for   asbestos   handling, demolition,   and   disposal   are   covered   by OPNAVINST   5100.23.   However,   you   should also   learn   the   local   laws   and   restrictions pertinent  to  the  locale  in  which  you  work. These  federal,  state,  and  local  laws  are important. In an overseas location, the laws of the  host  country  must  be  researched  and clearly understood in the construction planning phase.  It  is  inevitable  that  somewhere  in  the disposal  cycle,  transporting  of  this  type  of material to a disposal site will take place over roads  not  directly  under  Navy  control. Always   research   the   laws   governing asbestos.  If  you  are  continually  involved  with asbestos, you need to stay informed of current regulations   and   laws   because   they   are constantly changing and being updated. PESTICIDES There   are   also   many   chemicals   and pesticides   that   release   harmful   and   deadly fumes into the air—for example, chlorine gas. It is important for you to become familiar with all  of  the  materials  used  by  shop  personnel within   your   jurisdiction.   Normally,   toxic substances  have  warning  labels  attached  to them.  Once  the  chemicals  being  used  are identified,   you   can   obtain   supplemental information  from  the  unit  environmental protection   office   or   from   the   local   safety office. REFRIGERANTS Scientists   have   determined   that c h l o r o f l u o r o c a r b o n s     ( C F C s )     a n d hydrochlorofluorocarbons  (HCFCs)  are  linked to  the  depletion  of  the  earth’s  ozone  layer.  In response   to   this   environmental   damaging threat, CFCs and HCFCs are being phased out of  production.  Additionally,  the  use  and handling of refrigerants that contain CFCs and HCFCs  must  comply  with  the  EPA  Clean  Air Act  of  1990.  Naval  guidance  may  be  found  in OPNAVINST.5090.2,   Management   of   Ozone Depleting   Substances.   This   instruction provides   policies,   responsibilities,   and guidance  with  respect  to  Navy  actions  for elimination  of  ozone-depleting  substances.  As a   supervisor,   ensure   that   shop   personnel working with CFCs and HCFCs are  licensed, trained   properly   with   the   current techniques   of   using   and   handling refrigerants, and aware of EPA and Navy guidance on handling CFCs and HCFCs. 16-3