Asbestos Clean-up Procedures

Asbestos is a fiber that was used to insulate buildings for decades until it was found to cause mesothelioma, a lung cancer. Since then, it is no longer in use as insulation and is regularly removed from homes or buildings. Removing asbestos can be a very dangerous job, because dry fibers can cause cancer if left unattended. Never perform this activity on your own; instead, hire asbestos-removal professionals.

Protection

• One of the most vital aspects of aspects removal is protecting yourself and your workers. You must avoid breathing or spreading asbestos fibers. You will need half-face respirators that have HEPA filters attached, properly fitted on each worker. Workers with beards must shave them, because fibers may attach to the hairs. They should wear coveralls slightly larger than they need, so they can move freely, and rubber boots that go high on the body. Nonfogging goggles as well as rubber gloves will also be necessary to protect the eyes and hands.

  A decontamination process is necessary when workers leave an asbestos cleaning. Some of the protective gear, such as the rubber gloves, should be removed and thrown away. Rubber gloves are never reused in any situation. Coveralls, boots and goggles can be reused, as long as all traces of asbestos are cleaned away.

Wetting

• The first step to removing asbestos is to wet it down. Asbestos should be wetted before removal, during removal and kept wet until double-wrapped and stored safely. Wetting the asbestos keeps the fibers from floating through the air and helps contain its spread.

  For wetting, you will need a 2- to 3-gallon tank sprayer and liquid washing detergent. The detergent helps keep the asbestos wet longer. During the wetting process, you should cover all furniture, tables, stairs and floors with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting to protect these surfaces. Wrap up these plastic sheets and dispose of them carefully.

  Be sure you keep wetting every asbestos surface during the removal process. This may work best if one person wets, while the other cuts. Don't spray at maximum strength, or you may break the asbestos and cause it to float or fall into a hard-to-reach area.

Removal

• Removal of asbestos will require sharp chisels, claw hammers, razor blade knives and wrecking bars. Before you start removing asbestos, post safety warnings around the house. Lay the polyethylene material around the house over a 6-foot area to catch any falling asbestos.

  Remove the nails and screws holding the siding or paneling down. This helps avoid excessive breaking later.

  Use your chisels, claw hammers and wrecking bars to remove the paneling from the walls. Wet the area as you remove it. After lowering the paneling to the floor, use razors and knives to remove the asbestos from it. Wet the paneling regularly while you remove all asbestos.

Storage

• Steel drums or barrels, around 33 inches tall and 55 inches deep, should each be lined with a 6 mil polyethylene bag. When a drum is filled, close the edges of the polyethylene bag and tie it shut. Place it in another bag and close this bag off. Place asbestos warning stickers on the bags, and take them to a dump. Remove all safety plastic and wrap it for disposal as well, wetting it to avoid spreading fibers.