What To Expect During The Asbestos Abatement Process
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in construction throughout the 20th century. However, the mineral was eventually found to produce a variety of dangerous and even deadly health problems such as mesothelioma cancer, asbestos cancer, asbestosis, and pleural plaques. As a result, the use of asbestos was banned in the United States in 1978. Unfortunately, it is still estimated that up to 30 million homes in the United States consist of materials containing asbestos. To get rid of asbestos, you'll need to hire licensed asbestos abatement professionals. Removing asbestos can be a scary and stressful experience. It may also leave you with many questions. Where did the asbestos come from? What can the professionals do about it? How can you be sure that the process is safe for your family? To help put your mind at ease, here's what to expect during the asbestos abatement process.
Enclosure of the Contaminated Area
Asbestos can be treated using one of two processes — encapsulation or enclosure. Encapsulation involves coating the asbestos-based materials in your home with a sealant to prevent the asbestos fibers from becoming airborne. Encapsulation is only a short-term solution and is not asbestos removal. Sealants typically come in the form of paint or a spray. Once the sealant wears off, the chance of asbestos exposure will return. The long-term solution for complete asbestos abatement is enclosure. Enclosure involves covering the asbestos-based materials with airtight material to contain the asbestos fibers, preventing the fibers from being released into the air. Typically, the contaminated area is enclosed with plastic sheeting and duct tape. This process separates the area from the rest of the house so that your asbestos abatement professionals have an established work area where they can operate. During this step, workers will also set up warning signs to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the contaminated area.
Decontamination Systems Installation
Once the work area has been established, workers will be required to wear protective suits and respirators before entering the area. At this step, the workers install negative air pressure units and clean air exhaust ducts to prevent the air outside of the work area from being contaminated. HEPA filters are also installed within the work area to purify the air of asbestos fibers.
Safe Disposal of Asbestos Materials
All materials containing asbestos will be disposed of using specially labeled leak-tight containers. The containers will then be taken to a qualified landfill that utilizes best practices to prevent the escape of asbestos fibers. Once all asbestos containers have been removed, the work area will be sanitized with HEPA vacuums and wipes.
These are the steps you can expect during the asbestos abatement process. As you can see, the process is thorough and safe. Once these steps are complete, you can make your return to a happier and healthier home. Contact an asbestos removal service to learn more.