If friable asbestos material is disturbed and fibers are released into the air, they can be inhaled. Non-friable asbestos materials can be sealed or encapsulated, which is done by trained and accredited asbestos professionals.
Thorough visual inspections are conducted and samples are carefully collected without disturbing the materials or releasing any fibers. The inspector then evaluates the extent of contamination through laboratory analysis. Contact Asbestos Remediation now!
Identifying the Problem
Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fine, fibrous mineral that has long been used as a fire-resistant building material and thermal insulator. It is a carcinogen that can cause lung cancer and other health problems when inhaled. A variety of causes contribute to asbestos exposure, including asbestos-containing products that emit fibers during normal use, construction activities that disturb or remove ACM, and outdoor sources such as contaminated soil and demolition debris.
Before beginning any abatement or repair work, experts conduct a thorough visual inspection of the area to ensure no ACM remains unnoticed. Any suspected material must be sampled, and a plan for corrective action developed. It is important that a firm for testing and assessment be separate from the one performing corrections or repairs, so the professional cannot be biased toward or against a particular method of handling the material.
For material in good condition, a contractor may recommend an alternative to removal called encapsulation or enclosure. This involves coating the material with a sealant that either binds the fibers together or coats them so they don’t release into the air. This is often recommended for pipe, furnace and boiler insulation and some ceiling materials.
When removing ACM, professionals take special care not to break it into small pieces, as this can release dangerous fibers into the air. They will wet the material before using various tools to cut it away from the substrate. The resulting waste is placed in durable, airtight disposal bags or containers and transported to an approved landfill for final disposal. Workers will wear protective clothing and follow decontamination procedures to prevent contamination of other areas of the facility. The site is then cleaned and inspected for any residual asbestos contamination using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum.
Samples
Asbestos contains small bundles of tiny fibers that are strong and resistant to heat, chemicals and electrical current. It is found in soil and rocks and has been used in building materials, including insulating furnace ducts, ceiling tiles, floor and roof insulation, exterior siding, automobile brakes and clutches, cement and other products. If asbestos becomes damaged and is released into the air, it poses a health risk for occupants who inhale the fibers.
To identify and evaluate the extent of asbestos contamination, professionals carefully extract samples from suspected materials without disturbing them. They take detailed notes and photographs to create a map of the area. They also test the condition and location of the asbestos, determining whether it is intact or if it is damaged and if any fibers are being released. They then analyze the samples in accredited laboratories to determine if the material does indeed contain asbestos and its concentration.
The most important step in sampling asbestos is hiring a trained and accredited professional to do it. This will likely involve a general contractor or, in the case of certain asbestos-containing products, a specialist.
Before taking an asbestos sample, make sure to put on all personal protective equipment. It is also a good idea to shut down any HVAC systems and nearby fans to minimize the spread of any released fibers. Lightly wet the area with a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent, which will reduce the release of fibers when the sample is taken.
When a sample is taken, it should be placed in a sealed plastic bag to prevent contamination. It should be labeled with the name of the structure, where and when the sample was taken and the person who took it. It is also a good idea to wipe down and sanitize the work area and to change into fresh clothes before leaving.
Demarcation
The purpose of demarcation is to set the limits of a hazardous area. Usually an industrial hygienist will carry out this task. This step is done to ensure that the asbestos contaminated area remains safe and isolated. The area will be marked off with warning signs and kept closed to occupants until the process is complete and clearance testing has been carried out.
Asbestos is a type of silicate mineral fibre with flexibility and resistance to heat, electricity and corrosion. It was used heavily in construction materials until its use was banned in 1989. Asbestos is a risky material because, once damaged, it can release fine, airborne fibres into the environment, which are then inhaled and cause serious health issues such as cancer.
If ACM is in good condition, it is often best to leave it alone. However, if renovation or demolition work is planned that may disturb it, an asbestos survey must be undertaken by a trained and licensed Asbestos Inspector. If a survey indicates that ACM is present, it will need to be abated prior to the work commencing.
This involves a full inspection and assessment of the premises to identify the presence of ACM. Following this, the site will be decontaminated with specialist equipment in accordance with regulated working procedures. After the work is completed, all ACM will be removed and safely disposed of.
The alternative to removal is remediation (sometimes referred to as abatement). This involves less rigorous cleaning, but does focus on minimising the scope for fibres to be released into the environment through such methods as repair, enclosure and encapsulation. This is often the preferred option where the qualities of the ACMs are needed for the property in question (for example, insulation or fire resistance).
Abatement
Asbestos abatement is the process of removing or encapsulating hazardous materials so that they are no longer a threat to people in your building. This is done by professional asbestos abatement specialists. It includes identifying and repairing any material that contains asbestos, ensuring that the work is carried out with care and in compliance with regulations.
While asbestos is no longer used in new home construction, many older homes harbor this carcinogen among their building materials. Moreover, activities like cutting and sanding can release airborne asbestos fibers. This is why it is important to perform a thorough survey of your property to identify any ACMs.
Once the area is demarcated, a team of professionals will begin to remove or encapsulate the hazardous materials. They will take precautions to prevent the release of fibers into other areas of the property or nearby occupied buildings. They may hang plastic sheets around the work area to contain airborne particles, and they will use a “negative-air” machine to ensure that air does not move out of the abatement zone into occupied spaces. They will also wet the materials to minimize dust generation and use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum to clean up all surfaces within the containment area. A visual inspection should be conducted to verify that all surfaces are free of asbestos before a sealant is applied to lock down any remaining microscopic fibers.
During the abatement process, workers wear disposable coveralls, head covers and foot coverings to protect themselves from asbestos fibers. They may also use a respirator when performing specific tasks. Depending on the type of work, professionals may need to use a variety of techniques to remove asbestos. They may need to scrape and sand the affected materials or use a chemical solution to dissolve them.
Remediation
Oftentimes, asbestos-containing materials are not dangerous if they remain intact and undisturbed. However, if they become damaged or are disturbed, the fibres can be released into the air and inhaled. In order to avoid the release of airborne asbestos fibres, remediation plans should always be in place.
The remediation process can include both the removal of any ACMs and/or encapsulation of those materials that cannot be removed for any reason. Encapsulation involves sealing the ACM in a protective coating that either binds the asbestos fibers together or coats them so they are not released. This can be done with pipes, furnace insulation and floor tiles. This is a safer alternative to removal and should only be conducted by trained asbestos professionals who are experienced in handling this type of material safely.
A remediation plan will also take into consideration the future needs of your structure. If it is likely that the ACM will be disturbed in the future, it should be encapsulated or removed prior to renovation work. This will reduce the risk of releasing dangerous asbestos fibres during the renovation and protect the health of those who will be working on the structure in the future.
Asbestos is a durable and fire-resistant mineral that was once commonly used in a variety of construction materials. Unfortunately, we now know that this is not a safe material and can lead to several types of cancer as well as other serious conditions. Because of this, countless structures require remediation and abatement to prevent the release of hazardous asbestos fibres into the environment. Fortunately, remediation can be a simple and cost-effective solution to the problem of asbestos in your structure.
