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Asbestos Removal, Encapsulation & Disposal
Contrary to popular belief, while the use of asbestos has been widely regulated and even banned in certain countries such as Australia, it is still present and prominently used in both homes and industrial construction around the world. Asbestos is commonly used in materials used for insulation, flooring, plumbing, sheet metal, and electrical work practically putting all construction workers and those that come into close contact with them at risk of asbestos exposure. A naturally occurring mineral which is comprised of long thin fibers, asbestos was popular in construction and manufacturing due to its flexibility, strength, and heat and damage resistant nature. Asbestos poses no danger until it is disturbed, it is then that the thin fibers can become airborne and inhaled and swallowed by humans, causing asbestosis, mesothelioma, and even cancer.
Once asbestos exposure is suspected, it is important to seek qualified professionals who are licensed in asbestos management immediately. Licensed asbestos abatement and removal professionals are not only trained in properly testing for asbestos exposure, but are able to diagnosis the best action to take according to the test results. There are primarily two options that are available when facing the presence of asbestos, asbestos encapsulation if there is no exposure or asbestos removal if exposure has occurred.
Asbestos encapsulation has been proven as both an environmentally friendly and safe method of treating undamaged asbestos. Asbestos encapsulation protects against exposure to asbestos fibers and dust that can result from its being friable (crushed or crumbled into powder) and age. During encapsulation the asbestos is covered or laminated with a waterproof coating or paint that seals in the fibers. It is imperative not to cause any damage that can result in the release of fibers during the encapsulation process, which can result in more extensive and invasive working being done. The coatings and paints that are used to encapsulate the asbestos have other benefits to their usage, including their ability to deflect ultraviolent rays and infrared rays, lowering the internal temperature of structures, and lowering electricity costs when used in the treatment of asbestos roofs.
When asbestos encapsulation is not an option, then asbestos removal is recommended. Although removal is more expensive than encapsulation, it does provide the comfort of knowing that the asbestos has been totally eliminated. Asbestos removal in Australia and around the world should be handled carefully and according to local regulations. An asbestos air-monitoring inspector should be present to ensure that asbestos fibers do not enter the atmosphere, the contaminated area is self-contained, and that the asbestos is properly disposed of. It is illegal to dump materials containing asbestos in public waste facilities and can lead to costly fines if done so.
It is critically important to identify any materials containing asbestos in your construction, ascertain their safety, and develop an asbestos management plan for the sake of your employees and your business.