Asbestos Removal
Most experts recommend that asbestos removal, in both residential and commercial locations, be performed by qualified asbestos abatement professionals to reduce the risk of human exposure. Asbestos can be a dangerous material, and thus asbestos removal should be performed with caution and the proper protection measures.
Asbestos: Where is it found and why is it dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that has been used extensively in the United States since the 1880s. Prized for its fire and heat resistance, its durability, and its insulating and sound-proofing properties, asbestos has been used to produce countless construction, automotive, shipping and other products such as ceiling, floor, and siding materials, gaskets, insulation, pipe coverings, auto brakes and clutches, and much, much more. While this material has practical benefits, asbestos is extremely harmful to humans.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health conditions, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and a rare but deadly form of cancer called mesothelioma.
When is asbestos removal necessary?
The presence of asbestos containing products doesn’t always mean that asbestos removal is required. In fact, in some cases the best course of action is to leave asbestos containing materials alone. There are different categories of asbestos containing products:
- Friable asbestos: friable asbestos is categorized as any material, which has more than one percent of asbestos, that can be pulverized, crumbled, or reduced to powder with hand pressure. This type of asbestos is most dangerous and should be subject to careful asbestos removal by qualified professionals.
- Non-friable asbestos: non-friable asbestos containing materials are those that also have at least one percent asbestos, but that cannot be pulverized or crumbled as friable materials can. There are two sub-categories of non-friable asbestos:
- Category 1: this type of non-friable asbestos includes resilient floor coverings, asphalt roofing materials, and gaskets
- Category 2: this type includes all other non-friable asbestos material
(Note: non-friable materials can become friable with age, wear and tear, and when otherwise compromised) Regulations for Asbestos Removal
Federal agencies have specific regulations and recommendations about asbestos removal depending on the type and category of the material. If you suspect or know that asbestos containing materials are present in your home, office, or other environment, you may want to contact an asbestos removal professional who can determine your best course of action.
Asbestos often becomes a hazard during renovation, remodeling, and demolition projects, and it is important to be careful during these operations to avoid exposure to asbestos. In some cases full asbestos removal will be necessary and in other cases, asbestos-containing materials can be left alone or sealed over. It is best to speak with an asbestos removal professional.
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