Plant Demolition & Asset Recovery

A major reason why the use of asbestos in construction was banned is that its fibers can have extremely damaging effects on one’s health. In fact, continued exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health issues like lung cancer and may prove to be fatal.

Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition that results from inhaling asbestos fibers. Continuous exposure to asbestos fibers for a long period can lead to scarring of the lung tissue and cause shortness of breath.

Similarly, asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma – cancer that affects the pleura (the lining of the lungs) and peritoneum (the lining that surrounds the lower digestive tract.

Hiring a professional asbestos abatement company is of utmost importance to not only reduce asbestos exposure in public spaces and work sites but also to dispose of it safely. While asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) that haven’t sustained any damage or haven’t been disturbed are not a threat, you really need to schedule asbestos removal if there is any contamination.

Asbestos abatement is the process of mitigating the effects of asbestos or removing it completely. Asbestos abatement doesn’t always require the removal of the mineral because if it is undisturbed, it can be left intact and sealed to reduce the chances of exposure.

The first step in the asbestos abatement procedure, however, is to inspect the material and confirm if it’s asbestos, and determine how hazardous it could be.

The process of asbestos abatement begins with the identification and testing of the asbestos-containing building materials. In high-risk scenarios, a work plan is put together for the safe abatement of the substance.

If your property has asbestos-containing building materials, you should first have your property inspected by a licensed inspector from an industrial hygiene firm. The licensed professionals will visually inspect the area and take small samples of the suspected materials. The presence of asbestos content is then determined through lab tests.

They’ll give you a written evaluation report after the inspection, detailing where they found the mineral and how much asbestos is present in your building materials. In addition, the report will also have recommendations to mitigate the issue. If it’s not dangerous, you might have to get the ACBM encapsulated with a sealant so that the asbestos fibers don’t get airborne. But otherwise, it may have to be completely removed.

During the removal process, the licensed professionals from your asbestos abatement company will:

1. Seal vents and turn off any HVAC units to avoid the circulation of asbestos fibers.
2. Set parameters around the working area and seal it off using plastic sheeting.
3. Set up decontamination chambers beside the working area.
4. Use wet methods and hand tools for repairing the ACBM or removing asbestos completely.
5. Put ACBM into waste disposal bags and seal and remove it with the help of a decontamination unit specially designed with protective lining.
6. High-efficiency vacuums with HEPA filters are used in the process to reduce the risk of asbestos fibers dispersing in the air during the removal.
7. After removal of all the ACBM in the working parameters, the entire work area surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with HEPA vacuums and wet methods.

The best asbestos removal companies have strict guidelines and protocols to be followed by their licensed workers for the removal and disposal of ACBM. They comply with all state and federal regulations for asbestos abatement and safely dispose of asbestos-containing building materials.

It is crucial to hire certified and experienced professionals for asbestos abatement and removal as it helps ensure the workers or anyone else in the building may not get harmed in the process.

Certified professionals have a complete understanding of the state and federal laws and safety protocols that must be followed in the abatement process. They also have the necessary gear to carry out the removal, including full-face mask respirators and coveralls. In addition, they have a close understanding of the potential hazards of the material and the necessary experience to carefully remove asbestos and dispose of it as per the standard procedures.

Therefore, it’s always good to work with credible asbestos removal companies and avoid any issues with safety and compliance.

While not all asbestos needs removal, there are some common situations that result in asbestos exposure, making asbestos abatement and removal necessary. These include:

• Home Renovation and Demolition: It is highly likely to unknowingly disturb asbestos during the renovation or demolition of a property. If that happens, it calls for asbestos abatement and removal.
• Natural Disasters: Natural calamities like earthquakes and hurricanes can damage the structure of a building, leading to asbestos fibers getting airborne. Therefore, after a natural disaster, you must contact an abatement company for mitigation.
• Routine Wear and Tear: Some types of ACBM, like pipes, tend to wear out over time and may break down. As a result, they release asbestos fibers into the air which should be dealt with instantly.

There are multiple federal and state regulations that govern asbestos abatement and removal. They dictate how asbestos should be handled if found in homes, schools, and other buildings. These laws help keep the general public safe from asbestos exposure.

The following rules and regulations govern asbestos abatement and removal in the US.

1. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)

It’s an EPA regulation that addresses asbestos exposure in schools and learning institutions around the country. It states that educational institutions should periodically have their facilities inspected for asbestos-containing materials.

2. The National Emissions Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

NESHAP is also an EPA regulation for reducing the levels of airborne asbestos where the construction work is being carried out. It puts forth the rules and standards for ensuring the least possible contamination during renovation projects and building demolition.

3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations
OSHA outlines industry-specific regulations. It relates to shipyards, construction, and manufacturing industries, among others. OSHA outlines the Permissible Exposure Limits for employees who are likely to get exposed to asbestos. Employers have to ensure their workers don’t experience more asbestos exposure than is permissible.

OSHA also highlights the marking of asbestos materials and rules pertaining to the medical monitoring of asbestos-exposed employees.

Other EPA regulations for controlling asbestos exposure and asbestos-related reporting include:

• The Clean Air Act
• The Asbestos Worker Protection Rule
• The Safe Drinking Water Act

These rules and regulations were put together to prevent asbestos exposure in the future. They also dictate where and how to dispose of asbestos-containing materials.

Professional assessment and removal of asbestos are crucial to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. In addition, the extent of damage asbestos can induce really calls for careful handling.

If you try to remove asbestos from your property on your own, there will be consequences. Illegal dumping of asbestos can result in fines and penalties, even jail time. In fact, even asbestos removal companies that fail to comply with the rules and regulations may face penalties.

When ACM is not professionally assessed and removed, it may result in occupational exposure to asbestos and also result in public health risks. Hiring thorough professionals for the job will help ensure asbestos is dealt with carefully, professional tools and equipment are used for asbestos abatement and removal, and all state and federal regulations are complied with in the process. As a result, public health safety is ensured and possible asbestos exposure is avoided.

All precautions must be taken for safe asbestos abatement and removal. Occupants should take every movable item out of the work area, including books, boxes, clothing, toys, tables, chairs, personal items, etc. Before moving all these items out of the work area, however, they must be inspected for possible contamination. In case of contamination, clean the items using wet methods and vacuum them with equipment that contains a HEPA filter. If cleaning is not possible, professionally dispose of all such items.

Anything that can’t be moved out – including shelving, washers, air compressors, work benches, etc. – should be cleaned with a HEPA-filter-equipped vacuum and wet cleaning methods. After a thorough clean, it should be covered and sealed using a 6-mil polyethylene sheeting.

It is essential to take all precautions possible to protect yourself and everyone else around you before starting the asbestos abatement and removal process. Failure to do so may lead you to face legal claims and serious health concerns.

When hiring professionals for asbestos abatement and removal, you must ensure that you make the right pick. It is crucial not only to meet all the industry standards but also for safe abatement and removal.

Here are some tips to help you make the right call.

• Hire an asbestos abatement company with the required expertise. Some service providers specialize in asbestos abatement only, whereas others may be general contractors or demolition service providers.
• Ascertain you’re hiring certified professionals with a close understanding of state and federal laws.
• Look for a service provider with at least a few years of experience in asbestos abatement and removal and can provide references that you can cross-check.
• Always use a licensed asbestos abatement and removal company and verify their credentials.

Always get multiple quotes and research the company’s experience and track record to make the right call. You want to keep your costs to a minimum and also hire professionals who are certified to do the job and can be trusted. After all, it’s about protecting the health of hundreds of thousands of people around you.

Ask them the following questions to get to know them more and choose the best service provider.

1. Do you employ trained and certified professionals for asbestos abatement and removal?
2. Are you licensed by the relevant authorities to offer asbestos removal services?
3. Do you hire any subcontractors to carry out the job or manage everything with your own team?
4. How do you minimize safety risks during asbestos removal?
5. Will there be a need for repeat treatments?
6. Can you give me the five most recent and legitimate references?
7. How much do you charge for asbestos removal?

Once you have all the answers, you’ll be well-placed to make the right call!