What Does Asbestos Abatement Mean?

Asbestos is a dangerous substance that was commonly used in building materials prior to the 1980s. If you live in a home or work in a building constructed before then, there is a good chance that asbestos-containing products were used in its construction. 

Harmful asbestos fibers can easily become airborne if they are disturbed, so it is important to contact asbestos abatement professionals, before starting renovation or demolition work, if you suspect the presence of asbestos materials in your home. What does asbestos abatement mean? It’s a set of safe work procedures to help control and mitigate the release of airborne asbestos fibers during the removal of the building materials that contain asbestos. In this article, we will discuss what is involved with an asbestos abatement project and why it’s important.

How is Asbestos Identified?

Asbestos testing is an important first step to assess the presence of this hazardous material in various building materials. This is typically completed by asbestos professionals who collect samples from suspected building materials such as insulation, drywall joint compound, floor tiles, or pipe insulation. After the collection of these samples from the property, they are carefully analyzed using techniques such as polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PLM is usually more cost effective and relies on the visual observations of fibers under a microscope. TEM is a more detailed approach and analyzes individual fibers at a higher microscopic level. 

Additionally, in the unwanted circumstance where asbestos fibres become airborne from mistakenly disturbing the materials containing asbestos, or during the course of an active asbestos abatement,  air samples may be collected to detect airborne asbestos fibers. The results of these tests provide information about the presence, type, and concentration of asbestos that may be in the air.

Once asbestos testing has identified the hazardous materials, the next step is to proceed with asbestos removal. The method and risk level of asbestos removal will depend on friability of the building materials, the type and amount of asbestos present, sensitivity of site,and the location of the building materials. It’s highly recommended to work with your asbestos removal professionals to discuss the work plan and to identify the risks prior to starting your asbestos removal project.

Handling Asbestos-Containing Materials

Handling asbestos requires advanced detailed planning, qualified and trained professionals, and a commitment to safety. By following these recommendations, and working closely with certified asbestos professionals, you can easily manage asbestos risks while protecting the health of the management team, home or building occupants, and the general public. Remember, when it comes to asbestos, safety always comes first.

The steps involved with handling asbestos and providing asbestos abatement services within your home, workplace or place of business include being made aware that asbestos could be present, engaging with a an asbestos professional to assess and identify the presence of asbestos and the risks, developing a safe work plan for removal, performing the safe removal practices by qualified and trained professionals, ensuring the asbestos waste is properly bagged and disposed, performing post removal verifications and air clearance testing.

If you think there may be asbestos in your home or workplace, contact a professional abatement company to have the materials tested and removed.

The Dangers of Asbestos Removal

The dangers of asbestos removal are primarily related to the exposure to asbestos fibers. If these fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can cause serious health problems, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and other cancers.

Although asbestos-containing materials are now tightly controlled, homeowners, renovators and construction workers still risk asbestos exposure during demolition, remodeling or renovation projects in older structures. 

If you undertake a project and encounter asbestos fibres or old construction materials that you think contain asbestos, consult with asbestos abatement companies in your area before proceeding. 

Contact Certified Asbestos for Stress-Free Asbestos Abatement

It is important to ensure that the asbestos is removed by a professional asbestos abatement contractor who knows how to minimize exposure and handle asbestos disposal safely. 

If you do discover asbestos in your home, do not touch or disturb it! Call our professional asbestos abatement company to help clear your home of the toxic substance.  We’ll work with your insurance company to handle your claim and make the process as stress-free as possible for you.

Certified Asbestos provides homeowners and businesses with certified and experienced professionals to deliver complete asbestos abatement and removal services, as well as asbestos inspections, pre-demolition reports, and bulk sampling. Contact us to learn more!