Historically, asbestos was added to many construction materials for insulation and fire resistance. It is also used in various manufactured goods (roofing shingles, floor and ceiling tiles, paper products, and vermiculite insulation).
Airborne asbestos fibers are exposed when the material is disturbed during repair, renovation, or demolition. Asbestos Removal Perth WA removes deadly dust that may be inhaled.
A licensed asbestos contractor will be able to help you determine whether or not the asbestos-containing material needs to be removed, or if an alternative treatment option such as encapsulation could work instead. Encapsulation involves coating the existing asbestos material with a sealant, which can help prevent it from breaking down and becoming airborne. The company will be able to advise you on which method would be best for your home or business.
When choosing an asbestos remover, look for one with a good reputation and plenty of experience in the field. The best way to find out if a company is well-respected is by asking for references and speaking with past clients about their experiences. You can also check with local directories and online reviews to see what others have had to say about the company’s services.
Since the dangers of inhaling asbestos have been well documented, you will want to choose a company that has extensive training in the proper handling and removal of asbestos. In addition, the company should have a license from an EPA- or state-approved course. If you’re not sure whether or not a particular asbestos remover has the right qualifications, you can ask to see their certification card.
Most professional asbestos companies will provide a fully sealed work area to protect you and their workers from exposure to the toxic material while they’re working. They’ll also clean and test the work area after they’re done and supply you with a report that can be used to document their work.
Asbestos can cause a number of serious health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. The toxins from this natural mineral can be inhaled or ingested, and the symptoms of these conditions typically don’t show up until after many years have passed.
Inert or undisturbed asbestos doesn’t pose a risk, but once it’s handled, the hook-shaped fibers can become airborne and be inhaled. When inhaled, the asbestos particles can irritate and scar the lungs, which can lead to breathing problems like asthma and mesothelioma. To avoid these risks, it’s best to leave any materials that contain asbestos unaltered.
Before starting any work on asbestos, there are many things that must be done to protect the abatement crew, home renovators and homeowners. The work area must be sealed off with plastic sheeting, and negative air pressure units must be used to prevent contamination outside the work area. All surfaces that don’t need abating must be covered with plastic sheets, and warning signs must be posted to warn others of the dangers. Workers must wear personal safety protection, including N-100 or P-100 respirators and face masks. They must also wear long pants and leather gloves when handling asbestos.
Any material that is likely to contain asbestos must be wetted before it is touched. Workers should also wet their respirators and clean their gloves before leaving the work area. All debris must be double bagged in 6-millimeter plastic bags and disposed of at a licensed landfill that accepts asbestos waste. It is not safe to put asbestos waste in a regular trash pickup.
All materials that are being removed should be tested for the presence of asbestos by a lab. Although there are a number of do-it-yourself testing kits available, they are not reliable. The only way to know if something contains asbestos is by having it professionally tested by an EPA-approved laboratory.
While it is possible for a homeowner to remove some asbestos, this should only be done on detached residential homes, such as houses, garages and mother-in-law suites. Any commercial or multi-residence property must be left to a certified abatement professional.
Homeowners should consult an asbestos abatement company before beginning any work to ensure that all the proper procedures are followed. The company should provide a written contract detailing the work that will be performed and any applicable state and local regulations, including notification requirements and removal and disposal methods. They should also be able to show that they are properly trained and insured to do the work safely.
It is never safe to touch or disturb any materials that may contain asbestos. It is usually safer to leave undamaged asbestos alone or to have it encapsulated instead of removing it. Only a qualified asbestos professional should be consulted for sampling, major repair and abatement. It is important that anyone who works with potentially dangerous materials does not dust, sweep or vacuum them, saw, sand or scrape them because this can release microscopic fibres into the air.
Asbestos abatement is the process of identifying, removing, encapsulating, or repairing asbestos-containing materials in a structure to eliminate the risk of exposure to dangerous asbestos fibers. It is a serious task and should only be performed by qualified, certified abatement professionals.
Many older homes contain building materials that include asbestos, which was a popular additive because of its heat-resistant properties and ability to be made into a fire retardant. Asbestos can be extremely hazardous when airborne, however, because it can cause several types of cancer and other diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. It is for this reason that strict regulations exist to prevent the improper handling of asbestos, including large fines and penalties.
Licensed abatement contractors follow the highest standards of safety when completing any project that could potentially expose workers or the general public to asbestos. Before starting work, they carefully assess the size and severity of the project and make sure all the necessary permits are in place. Abatement contractors use specialized tools and wet methods to remove and repair asbestos-containing materials. They also take precautions to minimize the release of airborne fibers by wetting the materials and using a “negative air” machine that draws air from outside the abatement area through a decontamination chamber with a protective lining.
In addition, abatement workers must wear a mask with an N-100 or P-100 filter to protect themselves from breathing in the asbestos dust that is created during the removal process. Before allowing anyone to enter the abatement work area, they must also test the air for asbestos before and after the work is complete. This is required by the EPA and helps to ensure that any asbestos material is removed properly and does not contaminate the rest of the building.
Once the project is complete, any remaining asbestos material is either placed in a container to be taken away by the local waste management authority or recycled. Recycling the asbestos turns it into a nonhazardous substance that can be used in manufacturing products, which cuts down on the number of asbestos-related diseases and illnesses. In addition, the recycling process prevents asbestos from going into landfills where it can contaminate the surrounding environment.
While asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen, the good news is that it can be sealed or removed. This is known as abatement. Asbestos can also be recycled, but this is more expensive and requires additional approval from the EPA.
Hiring a professional asbestos contractor is the safest way to deal with a problem with this dangerous substance in your home. Professionals have the knowledge, experience, and specialized tools to perform the work safely. Homeowners should ask professionals about their credentials and make sure they are accredited, especially if accreditation is required by state or local law.
It’s important that the workers take safety precautions in the work area, and they wear personal protective equipment. It’s also a good idea for the work area to be covered with plastic sheeting, and negative air pressure should be applied. Signs should be posted to alert others that asbestos removal is underway.
Materials that contain asbestos should be wetted before removal to minimize the release of fibers into the environment. Once the material is ready for transport, it must be double-bagged in leakproof containers. It should be brought to a landfill or waste transfer station that is approved for handling asbestos-containing waste, and the transporter must have a valid permit.
Once the asbestos is transported to a landfill, it should be covered with a thick plastic sheet to prevent rain and other environmental factors from contaminating the waste. The landfill must also have a seal, and all workers must have a valid waste transporter permit.
Before construction, renovation or demolition activities begin, an independent asbestos air monitor must be present in the work area to ensure that no asbestos particles become airborne. If the asbestos is in good condition and will not be disturbed, you may choose to repair it instead of removing it. If you decide to remove the asbestos, be sure it is done by a reputable company and that all federal and state regulations are followed. The contractor should use procedures described during the federal or state-approved training and should not break up or crush the materials into small pieces, as this can cause them to release fibers into the air.