(Newswire.net — February 28, 2024) — You have probably heard of the dangers of asbestos and the number of different health conditions that people can develop when they have been exposed to asbestos. So, if you find asbestos in your home, you need to start taking the right steps to remove it right away.
One of the best things you can do when you find asbestos in your home is to hire a licensed professional to come and remove it. This way you know it’s safely removed and disposed of without potentially giving anyone any health issues later down the road.
This guide will go over the top things you need to know before beginning the process of asbestos removal. Remember to never remove asbestos yourself and always call someone like Asbestos Professionals.
Asbestos Needs to be Handled Carefully
Asbestos has to be removed very carefully or you can put your life and the life of others at risk. This is why you should never aim to remove asbestos by yourself. Instead, you need to call a licensed professional to come and do the work for you.
There are plenty of resources online about removing asbestos on your own, but don’t be tempted to do it on your own. As soon as the fibers of the asbestos are released, they can go into the air and start causing harm to your health.
Asbestos professionals are able to remove the asbestos without releasing the fibers into the air. They are also trained to follow all the regulations of the state and country you live in.
There Are Regulations On Removing Asbestos
Almost every single state has its own regulations on removing asbestos. If you try and remove the asbestos on your own, you are not only putting yourself in danger, but you are also breaking laws and other regulations.
Here are some basic regulations you need to follow, but make sure you check your specific state and laws to ensure you are doing everything the correct way.
Plan the Project
Asbestos removal has to be planned appropriately. You can’t just decide to remove the asbestos within a few minutes and then start going for it. Before beginning the project, you need to determine how long the removal is going to take, how severe the asbestos is, and how large of a project it is going to be.
Licensed professionals can come and check out the entire situation. Then they can let local authorities know about the removal and secure a permit so they can begin working.
Prepare the Area
Before the actual removal process can begin, the area needs to be prepared. The main thing is that you want to ensure other areas of the home do not become contaminated within the removal process.
All surfaces that do not need to have removal procedures done will need to be covered with plastic sheeting. There also need to be signs posted saying that asbestos removal is going on so that people around you know.
Lastly, professionals will use negative air pressure units inside the home so that none of the fibers are released into the surrounding air.
Protection Equipment
Everyone working and around the area has to wear personal protection equipment including P-100 respirators and special clothing to protect the skin.
Other Safety Protocols
All professionals know how to do this, but make sure that the HVAC system in the house is turned off. Workers also need to use special equipment like HEPA vacuums so that the area can be completely clean and purified before they are allowed back into these rooms of the home.
Proper Disposal of Waste
Before asbestos is removed, the material has to be wetted down. Then it needs to be double or triple bagged in plastic bags that are at least six millimeters thick. They need to be put into a leakproof container and put into a landfill.
Not all landfills are able to take asbestos waste, so the professionals will ensure they take it to one of the designated landfills around you.
Asbestos Can Be Recycled
This surprises many people because asbestos is known to be very toxic. However, when done properly, asbestos can be recycled and used for other things.
The asbestos first has to be heated to over 1,250 degrees Celsius as this is the minimum temperature needed to break down the asbestos. This allows the dangerous fibers to break down and be turned into glass that is not toxic or a health hazard.
The glass can be used to make many different things including stoneware or ceramic products.
Other thermal treatments can also be used to turn the asbestos into nontoxic material that can then be used to make porcelain tiles and ceramic bricks. One of the main reasons why recycling has become a better option since learned how to be done properly is that it reduces the amount of asbestos that ends up in landfills.
There are Benefits to Removing and Recycling Asbestos
Asbestos needs to be removed from all homes because it can be very dangerous to everyone’s health that is around.
There are also numerous benefits to recycling asbestos including:
- Making other products that can be used rather than needing to find new materials to make them
- Reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or other places
- Reduces the cost of abatement because part of the materials are being recycled rather than having to pay to take them to a landfill
- Remove asbestos from waste which can be dangerous when not handled properly
The Bottom Line
Asbestos removal can be dangerous for everyone involved especially if not handled and done by a licensed professional. You always need to ensure that you are using a reputable company with professionals who are highly trained and have years of experience.
When asbestos removal is done well, there are no risks to your health and you don’t have to worry about any asbestos or their fibers being in the home. If possible, you should also try to find a company that can recycle asbestos.