Asbestos can be in almost any part of a home or public building. Asbestos insulation installed decades ago, prior to the 1970s, can suddenly crumble, releasing millions of unseen, microscopic fibers into the air. In industry-speak, this is becoming “friable.” If you have been exposed to asbestos fibers in your home or workplace, you may be in danger of developing the very serious form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma attacks the lining of some major organs such as the heart and lungs, and it also attacks the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Once inhaled, asbestos fibers act as tiny spears, puncturing and scarring the tissues of the lungs.
This may result in asbestosis, lung cancer, or any number of other respiratory problems. Most of the time, symptoms do not appear until decades later, so if a diagnosis of mesothelioma is ever made, the disease has often progressed to the advanced stages. When diagnosed in the advanced stages, treatment options become limited.
Asbestos Removal Steps
If you decide to perform your own asbestos removal, you must follow certain steps. First, make sure all tools are purchased and ready for the process, such as hoses, water sprayer, dish washing detergent, pry bar and a knife. There is also specific equipment that can be bought for asbestos removal. You should also wear protective equipment when performing this job.
When beginning to remove the asbestos from the affected area, it is imperative to keep the material wet at all times.
This allows the fibers to settle and not become airborne. The goal for the abatement process is to remove the asbestos without the particles becoming airborne. The material should be carefully scraped off the surface into bags that are specially designed for asbestos removal, sealed and handed over to the other worker to be sealed again.
Asbestos material should be kept in storage bins that are properly sealed and labeled. The containers must be taken to a landfill that should be identified before the removal process even begins. Ahead of time, you must make sure that that particular landfill accepts asbestos, and you have to make sure there is enough room for the amount of asbestos you will be taking to the landfill.
Asbestos removal and cleanup should consist of wetting any area of the room that had not been finished or is still in question for containing asbestos. Even if you think you got it all, it is still important to keep everything wet and out of the air. When you have finished the asbestos removal, you must decontaminate by wetting yourself down and removing all protective clothing. Always remove respirators last after all garments have been removed. If dust particles are still present, do not vacuum or sweep them up. Instead, wet them down and remove them the same way. Shower thoroughly after completing the asbestos removal, and when the process if finished, make sure to obtain an “after” sample to make sure that all asbestos has been safely removed from the area.
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