Asbestos Removal & Disposal

Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber with properties that add strength, insulation and fire resistance to building materials like siding, roofing, insulation and tiles. It was commonly used until it was banned in the 1977, and many older homes and buildings still have asbestos somewhere. This only becomes a danger if the asbestos material is damaged and begins to release the breathable fibers that pose environmental and health risks.

Types of Asbestos

• There are two types of asbestos used in construction. Non-friable asbestos cannot be crushed by hand and cannot break down into dangerous fibers. Some examples of non-friable asbestos are asbestos cement, shingles, siding and floor tiles. Left alone, non-friable asbestos materials are generally considered low risk for environmental and health concerns, although sanding an asbestos tile floor or using heavy machinery to crush cement can pose health risks. Products that contain asbestos should never be crushed or reduced to dust by any means without proper precautions.

  Friable asbestos poses the biggest health risk. This is material that contains asbestos that can be crushed to a powder by hand. It is often found in insulating materials, and it was a common additive to textured paints and patching compounds before the ban.

Asbestos Regulations

• State and federal laws govern the removal, handling, transporting and disposal of asbestos. Before asbestos abatement can begin, a contractor must perform a visual inspection and send samples o a lab to be analyzed.

  In addition, paperwork is required to notify the state of intent to perform asbestos removal. Companies that do not comply with the laws may find themselves heavily fined, and in some cases of willful negligence, the principals of the company could face time in prison.

  Individual homeowners are not bound by the same standards, but a homeowner who ignores a potential asbestos hazard during renovations runs the risk of exposing his family to life-threatening consequences, as well as a risk of liability. Major or minor repairs are best left to trained professionals.

Asbestos Removal

• Workers should be trained in asbestos abatement techniques and adequately supervised. Everyone in the area is required to wear adequate protective covering, including a dust mask and gloves, and workers must take care to minimize the release of asbestos dust and fibers into the air. The work area should be roped off to prevent people from entering without protective gear. Furnishings should be removed from the area if possible, or covered securely if not.

  The most effective way to minimize dust is to wet the area and use special equipment to remove debris. This usually involves sprayers to wet the area down with a water mist, followed by mopping with wet mops, sponges or rags. The area can also be carefully vacuumed using a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaner with a special filter.

  The asbestos debris, along with workers' outer clothing and all disposable work materials, such as sponges, should be sealed in airtight wrappings, bags or containers, and disposed of properly. When the work is finished, no trace of dust should remain in the area, and the air should test clean before people are allowed to return.

Asbestos Disposal

• There are also laws governing the disposal of asbestos. After the debris is sealed in an airtight container, it must be transported to a licensed disposal facility by a driver trained in hazardous waste disposal. Every step of the way, care must be taken to ensure the health and safety of the workers and the surrounding environment.

Alternatives to Removal

• Asbestos removal can be pricey, but there are alternatives. Most asbestos products remain stable and pose no threat unless they become damaged. The EPA recommends that instead of replacing old tile, cover it. Most floor coverings, for example, can be installed over existing tile, including new tile. Covering existing asbestos materials carries much less risk of toxic exposure than removing them.