Asbestos Removal Regulations

Asbestos removal is legally regulated in most countries of the world

. Use of the substance is banned completely in some places. Australia for example introduced a total ban of asbestos-containing material in 1991.

Use of certain types of asbestos-containing building materials was banned in the US in 1989. Of course there are still thousands of existing buildings that were insulated with the material during construction.

If the buildings are to be demolished, the asbestos-containing materials must be removed without releasing the fibers into the air. It is the fibers that cause lung diseases. In the US, the procedures that must be used are a part of the Clean Air Act.

In buildings that are still in use and are not to be demolished, the materials can be removed or encapsulated. Encapsulation prevents fibers from being released into the air and makes the building safe to work in.

The materials can safely be removed from buildings that are currently in use only if the area involved is sealed off. Employees or residents may need to be temporarily relocated in order to ensure there is no exposure to the illness-causing fibers while the materials are being removed.

Sealing off areas for removing asbestos typically involves the use of polyethylene film and duct tape. Workers involved in the process wear special clothing and protective headgear that allow them to breathe through HEPA filters capable of trapping the fibers.

Negative air pressure machines similar to vacuums and fitted with the HEPA filters are used as a final cleanup step. The vacuum cleaners approved for this purpose in the US are Class H vacuums.

Ordinary vacuums spit the hazardous fibers back into the air. This is why it is important for everyone in the building to be aware of what is going on and what rules must be followed.

Removing asbestos insulation and other building materials is not always desirable. The greatest release of fibers occurs when the materials are removed. Paints and plasters containing the toxic substance cannot easily be removed.

In cases where removal is impossible or undesirable, encapsulation or containment is an option. There are several products designed specifically for this purpose. They prevent the fibers from being released into the air.

Re-application may be necessary but many products last for years. Weather-resistant products are available for outdoor use.

Experts at asbestos removal can help consumers select the best products for their specific situation. Consumers should not attempt to remove the materials on their own under any circumstances

by: Wayne Messick

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