How to Dispose of Asbestos Corrugated Sheets
The EPA has strict guidelines for the disposal of asbestos corrugated sheets. Asbestos is a health hazard, and must be disposed properly. Asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, all of which are fatal. The height of asbestos use occurred between 1940 to 1978. Because asbestos corrugated sheets often insulated pipes and appliances, many older homes and businesses contain asbestos sheeting. Owners of these buildings must dispose of the sheets according to local, state and federal laws. Preferably, removal and disposal should be done by a professional.
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Things You'll Need
- Phone
- Paper or cardboard
- Marker
- Gloves
- Face mask
- Bags, double-impermeable, at least 6 mm thickness for a small quantity of asbestos sheets
- Waste container lined with 2 10 mm poly liners for a large quantity of asbestos sheets
- Water hose
- Waste shipment record, for a large quantity of asbestos sheets
Instructions
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Contact the public works department for location information about the closest landfill that accepts asbestos corrugated sheets.
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Call the appropriate landfill at least 24 hours prior to disposal. This will allow time for the landfill to prepare for the shipment of asbestos. Law requires asbestos to be buried immediately.
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Create signs that read, "Danger - Contains Asbestos Fibers; Avoid Creating Dust; Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard." Hang the signs in the work area, and label each bag or container.
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Wet the asbestos corrugated sheeting completely, while wearing the gloves and face mask.
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Place the asbestos corrugated sheeting carefully in the bags or lined waste container. Keep dust to a minimum.
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Transport bags or waste containers to the landfill at the appropriate time. If there is a large quantity of asbestos corrugated sheeting, a waste shipment record or manifest is required. The waste shipment record or manifest is signed by the "generator" (you), the transport company, and the landfill.
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Tips & Warnings
If the asbestos corrugated sheeting is not damaged, the EPA recommends leaving it intact. Asbestos should only be removed if it is damaged, or the property is being renovated.
Although home owners are exempt by federal law from the requirement of utilizing a licensed asbestos remover, some states and local laws require it. Please check with local officials before removing asbestos.
References
- State of New Jersey: Department of Heath and Senior Services: Frequently Asked Questions about Asbestos
- Environmental Protection Agency: Docket: Definitions
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services: Asbestos Environmental Fact Sheet
- US Environmental Protection Agency: Region 4: Asbestos: Asbestos NESHAP: Adequately Wet Guidence
- US Environmental Protection Agency: Region 4: Asbestos: Recording and Record Keeping Requirements for Waste Disposal
Resources
- Photo Credit Pipes inside energy plant image by Andrei Merkulov from Fotolia.com
