Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in numerous building materials over the years because of its resistance to heat and caustic chemicals. Its unique fibers, however, can go airborne and cause a host of respiratory issues like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other cancers and lung diseases. Unfortunately, many homes and buildings still have asbestos-contaminated materials. If your building has these, you need to contact an experienced asbestos abatement service to remove them.
Before any work begins, your asbestos abatement professionals will need to clearly mark all infected areas of your facility. This ensures that your staff members and clients aren’t exposed to contaminants during the process. It also gives the abatement team a clear path to follow. This is essential because once an area is contaminated, it’s difficult to keep it clean and free of debris and fibers.
Once the work is done, your abatement service will vacuum and wipe surfaces with HEPA filters to ensure that all contaminated materials have been removed. Depending on the type of materials, they may be recycled through high-heat treatments that transform the dangerous fibers into non-toxic ceramic fibers. This option is more cost-effective than simply dumping the material in a landfill, and it’s great for the environment!
After the asbestos is removed, your professional will take a final test to confirm that the contamination levels are below OSHA regulations. Then they’ll seal all contaminated areas, and the work site will be declared a “regulated area” to prevent the spread of asbestos in other parts of your facility. Once this is done, your team will be ready to start the actual abatement process.
During the asbestos removal, your service providers will first shut down your building’s HVAC system to ensure that dirty air won’t circulate throughout the facility. They will also cover all surfaces that don’t require work with plastic sheeting and put up warning signs to let people know that the area is a hazard. They’ll also use negative air pressure units to prevent contaminated dust from traveling to other areas of your facility.
To sample asbestos-containing materials, your service providers will wet the material with a fine mist of water that contains a few drops of detergent. The extra moisture helps reduce the release of asbestos fibers. Before taking a sample, they’ll also wear disposable gloves and wash their hands afterwards. They’ll also use a dust mask to protect their respiratory tracts.
After the abatement is complete, your service provider will use specialized disposal bags and containers to collect all asbestos waste. They’ll then transport the waste to a hazardous waste landfill where they’ll use heavy-duty seals to ensure that the waste stays contained and doesn’t leak out. Finally, they’ll wrap the container in a layer of thick plastic to protect it from weathering and other environmental conditions.
