subject: An Asbestos Management Plan Is Important [print this page] Most peoples first reaction to the word asbestos is a negative one. When you think about the possibility of having asbestos on your property fear and dread go through your head and the only thought is about getting it out. In horror you wonder how this could have happened to you, how could you have asbestos on your property. The truth is that lots of properties around the world do have asbestos. It is a widely used material and has been used for several years. Only a few countries have just begun to regulate or ban the use and manufacture of asbestos. Asbestos can however be benign if it is in an undisturbed uncompromised condition where the loose fibers are not exposed to air. In some cases leaving the asbestos where it is, is safer than removing the asbestos. This is why asbestos surveys and asbestos management plans are so important. These tools can help you asses if you need to remove your asbestos and how or if you should just leave it alone.
When asbestos is sealed it presents no harm to humans. The problem with asbestos is the raw fibers. They break easily into smaller and smaller fibers. These fibers get so small that they become airborne and can be inhaled into your lungs. It is once these fibers lodge in your lungs that the problems begin. If your asbestos fibers are not exposed to the air or the material is not damaged or broken in anyway the asbestos poses no threat to you. When you have asbestos present the best solution could be not to touch it literally. The asbestos survey will help you identify this intact and safe asbestos containing materials. It will also tell you what materials should be removed.
The asbestos management plan is what kicks in after you know that you in fact do have asbestos present whether or not it will be removed. If you have asbestos that remains on the property the asbestos management plan will suggest the steps that you can take to ensure that the integrity of the asbestos remains intact over time. If you have asbestos that needs to be removed the asbestos management plan will tell you the best way to remove the asbestos with minimum disturbance and then how it needs to be disposed of.
It is important to note that during your asbestos survey they will take and analyze samples of materials that are suspect of being asbestos. Certain materials are more likely to be made with asbestos than others. Items that have a high probability of being an asbestos containing material but it is not certain can be tested. Otherwise it is assumed that materials with a high probability of containing asbestos will be considered as asbestos. You must request the type of asbestos survey that will test the materials if you are not comfortable with the assumption. No matter what type of asbestos survey you have done and no matter what the asbestos management plans results are the information found within is invaluable.
