Asbestos Removal

Procedures To Follow On Asbestos Abatement

Removing or abatement of asbestos is not an easy job as it requires various procedures and mechanisms to achieve the desired target. Removal of asbestos is a highly complex process. Therefore, it requires specially designed procedures for its abatement. Asbestos containing materials are also referred to as ACM.

Some of the procedures to be followed during the conduct of the asbestos abatement activities are:

1. Wet methods can be used for the abatement of asbestos containing materials. However, dry method of removal is prohibited for asbestos containing material, unless approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been obtained. Work would begin when the EPA approved alternate removal plan is submitted to the department for approval. The plan should explain and justify why ACM must use dry methods and how asbestos fibers will be monitored to prevent their release.

2. Removal encapsulants which help to minimize fiber generation and enhance penetration are applied as per the manufacturer's specifications and in accordance with the federal guidelines.

3. ACM should be bagged directly on to a flexible catch basin after detaching from the substrate. Excessive air in the bag should be controlled but it should be sealed. Non hygroscopic materials should not be dropped. ACM should not be dropped from a height of more than 10 feet. Dust free inclined chutes are used above a height of 10 feet. Prohibition of the vertical and near vertical chutes should be there. The utmost inclination from the horizontal should be 60 degrees.

4. Keep the large components that cannot be containerized, wet in at least one layer of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting, and secured by sealing with the tape.

5. After all the stripping work has been done; the surfaces from which the asbestos containing materials have been removed should be cleaned in order to remove the visible residue.

6. After the work area has been made free from visible residues, the application of a thin layer of a pigmented, encapsulating agent should be done. This can be applied on all the surfaces in the work area from which the ACM was removed in order to seal in non visible residue.

Some other procedures involved in the abatement of asbestos or other abatement alternatives are:

1. In place management: This is a low cost alternative but it is not a permanent remedy.

2. Completion of partial removal: The plus point of this alternative is that it is a permanent remedy for asbestos. However, it requires high initial cost.

3. Encapsulation or wrapping or repairing: This procedure involves low budget or low cost. However, it is also not a permanent asbestos removal remedy.

4. Enclosure- By applying this procedure, it may be possible that the ACM may be in a poor condition. It is also not a permanent remedy for asbestos removal and it requires high initial costs.

By familiarizing yourself with some of the procedures which you can undertake or follow to get rid of asbestos, you are taking on a challenging role in the abatement of asbestos.

Asbestos Removal