A few decades ago, asbestos was a material widely used in consumer goods, building materials, and other products for its cheap rates, durability and fire resistance. However, as its health risks and potential hazards came to be known, governments started regulating its use, and even banning it in certain situations. You will need to follow proper asbestos removal process to abate the material safely and properly in order to renovate or deconstruct the old house.
Where Do You Find Asbestos These Days?
Asbestos is found in a number of products from automotive parts and building materials to consumer items such as protective clothes and ironing board covers. It is also a commonly used material added in hairdryers, irons, crock pots, popcorn poppers, pot holders or oven mitt. Homeowners and construction workers get exposed to asbestos when they renovate or remodel their old house built before the 1970s. In those times, asbestos was widely used in different parts of the buildings, especially basements, bathrooms and attics.
Potential Hazards of Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos has been related to a variety of diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. When asbestos enters the air we breathe in, its toxic fibres enter our body through nose or mouth and become lodged in our heart, abdomen, or lungs, thereby causing serious health issues. Although there may not be an immediate reaction to asbestos, it keeps lodged in our body and develops the disease over the long term.
While asbestos is not a commonly used material these days, people still get exposed to it due to improper handling of materials containing this mineral. Asbestos containing products that are intact and in good shape are considered safe, but when they wear out or get damaged, they start releasing toxins into the air. In such situations, it is important to call an asbestos removal company that can completely remove the material from your surroundings.
Hiring an Asbestos Removal Company
Handling a product containing asbestos is potentially dangerous, especially if the product is in damaged or worn condition. An individual without proper training should never be allowed to handle the asbestos removal process. A professional expert will visually inspect the products or area to be renovated, and take their samples for testing. If asbestos is present in it, they would recommend asbestos abatement and take the needed actions for the purpose.
Steps involved in the process are:
- First, they turn off all the seal vents and HVAC units to prevent the circulation of asbestos fibres in the air.
- They wear coveralls and full-face mask respirators to stay safe while removing asbestos containing products from your site.
- They seal off the work area.
- They clean up the space using HEPA filter vacuums and wet cleaning methods.
- They remove the materials containing asbestos and place them in leak-proof containers.
- They bag any soiled clothes in separate containers and dispose of them off in a safe manner.
The asbestos-containing products that they removed from your site will be taken to a facility where they will be recycled under high heat to convert the asbestos fibres into inert silicate glass. Sometimes, these products are dipped in sodium hydroxide, after which they turn into silica gel that can be used to make glass.
The complete removal is not possible and hence the asbestos removal experts may go for encapsulation. It is a process in which the affected area is sealed with a sealant, so that asbestos fibres cannot escape and enter the air.
So, if you suspect that an area or product in your house contains asbestos, hire an asbestos removal company to get it inspected and handled with care.