How to Get Rid of Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of microscopic crystals. It is pliable and heat-resistant, making it a good insulation and building material. But it is also a powerful carcinogen and its use had been outlawed in all but a few industries. During the past 150 years, asbestos mining and manufacturing released large quantities of asbestos into the environment, making asbestos abatement a major concern in the 21st century. Getting rid of it will take more than a plastic bag and a garbage truck.

Things You'll Need

• Hazardous-material suits, boots and gloves certified for use with asbestos HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) breathing filters and masks certified for use with asbestos Negative-pressure apparatus, seals and plastic Binding compound, lockdown solution and encapsulant Asbestos disposal bags Polyethylene masking material Duct tape Licensed asbestos disposal facility Municipal or state permit to perform abatement (depending on jurisdiction)

Instructions

1. 

   Hire a state-certified inspector to identify your asbestos hazard. If the risks involved in removing asbestos are greater than those of leaving it in place, sealing the material with rubber or plastic may be better than disturbing it and allowing it to become airborne. Whether the asbestos should be removed or sealed in place depends on local regulations, the condition of the material and whether your building is a single- or multiple-family dwelling or a commercial or industrial building. In many states, single-family residences are the only places where a property owner may choose to remove asbestos as a do-it-yourself project. Check with local or state environmental agencies to obtain proper permits before beginning an asbestos-abatement project.

2. 

   Seal off the area to be cleared from surrounding ground and air; asbestos, once airborne, can persist in the environment until it is picked up on clothing, shoes, skin, hair or inside of an organism. Seal doors, windows and ventilation ducts with polyethylene film and duct tape. The microscopic filaments that make up asbestos materials can work into any fabric or surface, so remove fabric draperies, carpeting and furniture and cover surfaces (such as floors) that will not be treated .

3. 

   Establish a negative-pressure atmosphere and protect your hair and skin against infiltration by asbestos fibers. Negative-pressure machines draw air into the area where asbestos is being removed and don't allow air to escape the contained area; their vents use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Provide disposable, polyethylene-coated head-to-toe clothing for everyone involved in the project; boots, gloves and hoods should be sealed along the margins with polyethylene duct tape. Respirators for workers should also contain HEPA filters. Remove and dispose of coated clothing and sealant in disposal bags each day before leaving the negative-atmosphere area.

4. 

   Remove the asbestos by following three steps. Once the area is completely sealed, either seal the asbestos in place or wet it down with a binding compound to hold it together during removal. Once the asbestos is bound, seal it with a lockdown solution to hold it together as it is removed. Finally, encapsulate the material and seal the area from which it has been removed to prevent loose fibers from becoming free with an encapsulant.

5. 

   Deposit the damp, encapsulated asbestos in six-mil polyethylene asbestos removal bags as it is taken down. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires these bags to have an approved warning label. Put only as much asbestos as is allowed by local law and landfill policies---usually no more than 30 to 50 pounds---into the bag and double-bag heavier loads. Dispose of properly marked and duct-taped closed bags in a landfill that accepts asbestos immediately before the asbestos becomes friable, or dry, again.

Tips & Warnings

• Asbestos should be kept wet throughout removal and disposal to prevent it from shattering into tiny fragments that can become airborne and lodge in hair, fabric or soil. Industrial compounds are available, or a homemade brew of water and dish soap can be used to keep asbestos locked down. Asbestos removal is expensive and time-consuming, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. If you have more than a few pieces of ceiling tile, insulation or cement to remove, consider encapsulating it in place or hiring professionals. Bonded or licensed professionals operate according to your state's laws, bring their own equipment and personnel and clean up the mess.

• Attempting to remove asbestos insulation or building materials without proper equipment and professional supervision can result in serious illness, mesothelioma (a form of cancer) and death.

References

• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Remove Asbestos, Inc.
• Empire Industrial Products

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• EPA Asbestos page
• Asbestos Net