Asbestos, once widely used in construction materials for its heat resistance and durability, is now known to be a hazardous material that can pose serious health risks. When disturbed, asbestos fibres become airborne, and if inhaled, they can lead to serious respiratory conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
If your home contains asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and you plan to renovate or conduct maintenance work, it’s crucial to remove asbestos safely. Let’s discuss the safest methods for asbestos removal to protect your health and the health of those around you.
A Brief Overview Of Asbestos
Asbestos is a term that is often used when discussing the potential dangers that lurk in our homes. Put simply, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in building materials such as insulation, flooring, and roofing.
While it was once prized for its fire-resistant properties, we now know that exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health risks. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, tiny fibres are released into the air, which can then be inhaled and become lodged in our lungs.
Over time, this can result in a number of serious respiratory conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. It’s important to be aware of the presence of asbestos in your home and to take steps to have it safely removed to protect yourself and your loved ones.
How To Safely Remove Asbestos From Your House
While we definitely recommend leaving the advanced asbestos removal to the professions, here are some things you can do to remove asbestos on your own:
Identify and Assess Asbestos
Before any removal process begins, it’s essential to identify and assess the presence of asbestos in your home. Asbestos can be tracked down in different building materials, like protection, roofings, ceiling tiles, and floor tiles.
Hiring a licensed asbestos inspector or abatement professional is the safest way to identify asbestos-containing materials accurately.
Hire a Licensed Abatement Professional
Asbestos removal is a highly specialised and hazardous task that requires expert knowledge and proper equipment. Engaging an authorised asbestos removal professional guarantees that the removal process is directed securely and consistent with nearby guidelines.
These experts have the essential preparation and experience to deal with asbestos securely and discard it appropriately.
Implement Measures
During asbestos removal, severe security measures should be executed to limit the risk of fibre exposure. The work area should be isolated and enclosed to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres to other parts of the home.
Negative air pressure systems, airlocks, and wetting agents are used to control airborne fibres and keep the work area under negative pressure.
Wet Methods and Minimising Disturbance
Asbestos removal mostly involves the use of wet methods, implying that the ACMs are kept damp during the interaction to forestall the arrival of airborne fibres. This includes spraying water onto the material before and during removal.
Additionally, minimising the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials reduces the chances of fibre release. Techniques such as careful hand removal instead of power tools are preferred to reduce the risk of dispersing fibres.
Proper Disposal
Proper disposal of asbestos-containing materials is critical to prevent exposure to others and protect the environment. Make sure to double-bag the Asbestos waste in a thick plastic material and label it accordingly. It should be transported and disposed of at authorised landfill sites that accept asbestos waste.
Air Monitoring and Clearance Testing
After the removal process is completed, air monitoring and clearing tests are carried out for ensuring the safety level of air quality.
Independent environmental consultants test the air to confirm that asbestos fibre levels are below acceptable limits before allowing occupants to re-enter the area.
Educate Occupants
If you are a homeowner or property manager planning asbestos removal, it’s essential to inform any other members or occupants in your home about the process and any precautions they need to take.
Clear communication helps residents understand the safety measures being taken and minimises the risk of accidental exposure.
Bottom Line
Strict safety measures, including proper PPE, wet methods, and minimising disturbance, must be implemented during removal. Proper disposal and post-removal testing are essential steps to confirm that the area is safe for re-entry.
Keep in mind, asbestos removal ought to never be endeavoured as a Do-It-Yourself project because of the serious health risks related to asbestos exposure. By following these protected asbestos expulsion practices, you can safeguard yourself, your family, and others from the risks of asbestos and establish a better living climate.
