Asbestos Abatement Asbestos is very dangerous once its fibers are released into the air and people are able to inhale or ingest the asbestos fibers or dust. The EPA banned all new uses of asbestos in 1989 but allowed uses established prior to that time to remain. The widespread use of asbestos meant a high number of workers and mining communities had already been exposed to extremely large quantities of the mineral fibers, making them more susceptible to developing asbestos related illnesses.
Homes, workplaces, schools and other public buildings still contain a great number of materials with asbestos as a result. These materials do not create a health threat to people exposed to them unless the materials have been damaged. It is important to monitor any materials that may contain asbestos for signs of wear or disturbance, which might be allowing asbestos fibers to become airborne.
Once the asbestos fibers are released into the air, anyone can inhale them and it can become embedded in the lungs and remain sometimes forever. If planning on renovating or making repairs on materials made of asbestos or remodeling homes constructed with materials containing asbestos, homeowners and building owners must have a certified asbestos abatement contractor properly remove affected materials according to regulations outlined by OSHA.
Anyone that is not specifically certified for asbestos abatement should not attempt to repair or remove the asbestos sources. If the property owner is not sure if the materials contain asbestos, the materials should be handled as if they do until they are sampled to determine if a risk factor is present. Samples should not be taken from materials that are in good condition and will not be affected by remodeling or any other disturbances because it could create a greater risk of asbestos fibers releasing into the air.
When the asbestos abatement process finally occurs, all furnishings will be removed from the area and the section will be sealed off with plastic sheets. Fans will pump air through the HEPA filters and out of the workspaces. All workers will be wearing protective suits and respirators, also equipped with DEPA filters.
The hazardous materials will be removed and placed in double-layered hazardous waste bags. Bags must be labeled for asbestos and the outside of the bag washed off before it is taken out of the work area. When the asbestos abatement is completed, workers will gather and properly dispose of the plastic and other materials at a hazardous waste disposal company. Improper disposal of the materials will only release the loose asbestos fibers and dust into the community.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. The heaviest asbestos exposures occur in the construction industry with the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Linked to incurable lung diseases, lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer with no known cure caused by asbestos exposure, asbestos abatement workers that do not strictly follow guidelines can expose themselves and others to the serious risks of asbestos.
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