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2Understanding the Dangers of Asbestos4Why Is Asbestos Abatement Important?Your Guide toHiring an AsbestosAbatement Company5Tips for Hiring an Asbestos Abatement CompanyHiring an asbestos abatement company, and not doing it yourself,6Asbestos Abatement Process8Asbestos Abatement CostsPAGETOPICS COVERED IN THIS GUIDE:is the wisest and safest decision when it comes to removingasbestos from any residential, commercial or public building.Asbestos abatement companies will properly test for the toxicmineral, follow strict asbestos abatement regulations andprocesses, and carry the right abatement removal equipment tokeep them, others and you safe from the deadly e/(877) 624-30741
Understanding theDangers of Asbestosbuilding products in homes, schools and other structures built before the 1980s.“Hiring a professional for abatement is aboutprotecting yourself and your family. I havewitnessed firsthand, too many times, peopletrying to do it themselves. It’s a shame whenthat happens. It’s not worth the risk.”Asbestos abatement involves the identification, removal, repair and encapsulation of— Anthony Rich, asbestos inspectorAlthough asbestos isn’t banned in the U.S., its use is limited. However, asbestoscontaining materials (ACM) still pose a danger to the public because they were commonmaterials or products in a structure to eliminate the threat of exposure to toxic asbestosfibers. It’s best handled by a professional asbestos abatement company.Common Asbestos-Containing Materials in BuildingsBecause asbestos doesn’t burn, it was used in many products to resist heat. The “miraclemineral” made these asbestos-containing materials valuable to the building industry.Roof Shingles &VermiculiteSidingInsulation, CeilingPopcorn CeilingsDrywall & CementPlaster, Putties &SheetsCaulkingPipe & DuctThermal Boiler &Vinyl Floor TilesCoveringsFireplace InsulationsTiles & CoatingsElectricalSwitchboardPlumbing uide/(877) 624-30742
Reasons for Testing a Structure for AsbestosAlthough asbestos-containing products are generally safe when left undisturbed, they become brittle over timeand can crumble. But the popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects has heightened possible asbestos exposure.1DIY Remodeling Projects2You Own a Structure Built Before 19803Natural or Manmade DisasterDisturbed Building Structure4Crumbled, Worn or Broken AsbestosContaining Materials in a Building"Too many times with asbestos, the hazards are underestimated. If there is going tobe what I call a ‘dusty operation’ (sanding, sawing or breaking materials) in an olderhome or building, you don’t want to do that without having it checked [for asbestos]first. And leave abatement to the professionals."— Jack Leonard, president of Environmental Management Institute, de/(877) 624-30743
Why Is AsbestosAbatement Important?If damaged asbestos-containing materials are not properly removed by an asbestos abatementcompany, they can endanger your life and the lives of others who come into contact withasbestos dust, fibers or raw asbestos materials.Fast Facts About AsbestosSteps to Take if You SuspectAsbestos ContaminationInhaling or ingesting asbestos can lead toserious health issues such as mesotheliomaThe most important first step is to not touch thesuspicious materials. Let a professional asbestosabatement company handle the job.cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques andasbestos lung cancer.Don't Sweep, Vacuum or DustPossible Asbestos DebrisAbout 3,000 people are diagnosed annuallyDon't Remove Suspicious Materialswith mesothelioma in the U.S. An estimated10,000 people die annually from some type ofKeep Children Out of Areaasbestos-related disease.Limit Activities in the AreaCall a Licensed AsbestosAbatement CompanyMicroscopic asbestos fibers are .01 microns thick(18,000 times thinner than a human 7) 624-30744
Type of Asbestos Abatement WorkTips for Hiring an AsbestosAbatement CompanyAsbestos abatement companies are not all the same.Some specialize only in asbestos abatement, while othersoffer environmental services, demolition services andgeneral contracting services that may include abatement.Within the U.S., asbestos abatement regulations vary fromClass I asbestos work:Class II asbestos work:Class III asbestos work:Activities involving theRemoval of nonthermalRepair and maintenanceremoval of asbestos usedasbestos-containingoperations of anyto prevent heat loss ormaterials such asasbestos-containinggain, surfacing asbestos-wallboards, floor tilesmaterials that will likelycontaining materialsand sheeting, roofingbe disturbed. This is theand those suspected ofand siding shingles andtype most likely used forcontaining asbestos.construction mastics.removing asbestos.state to state and city to city, some extend beyond thefederal laws that require Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) and Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) licensing.Homeowners are not legally required to use a licensedWorkers are trained in:asbestos abatement company, but it is stronglyrecommended.Before hiring an asbestos abatement company, verify itsqualifications. Find the one that best suits your needs. Pre-Asbestos Abatement Activities Work Area Preparation Establishing Decontamination Units Using Personal Protection (Respirator andProtective Clothing)https://www.asbestos.com/abatement-guide/ Worker Decontamination Procedures Safety Considerations in Abatement Area Proper Handling & Disposal of Asbestos Waste(877) 624-30745
AsbestosAbatementProcess Work area established. HVAC and electrical systems disabled. New electrical system installed toand duct tape. Abatement begins with a certifiedPersonnel Only, Respirators and ProtectiveDecontamination enclosure systemsClothing Are Required in this Area.installed.asbestos inspector who takes samples of suspected asbestos. Samples areSeal openings with plastic sheetingand duct tape.analyzed at a laboratory to determineextent of the problem. The asbestos Post warning signs that read: Danger, Asbestos,Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard, Authorizedwork area. Cover surface not getting abated with plasticsheeting.power negative air pressure units thatavoid contamination of air outsideSeal nonmovable objects with plastic sheetingWet wipe or use a vacuum with aremoval can be complex and includesHEPA (high-efficiency particulate air)several site preparations.filter on nonmovable objects to keepasbestos from becoming airborne. Clean up using a HEPA vacuum. Disposal requires asbestos-containing wastebe sealed in leak-tight containers while stillwet, then labeled clearly and taken to qualifiedlandfills that have specific requirements forsecuring the waste and preventing fibers fromescaping into the air. Vehicles that transport thewaste to the landfill have specific requirementsand labeling instructions.Common AsbestosAbatement EquipmentHere is some of the equipmentyou may see on the job:HEPA 877) 624-3074Rubber boots6
"You have to live with the legacy ofthe past, and the legacy here is all theasbestos is still in place. This epidemic isnot going to end anytime soon."Epidemiologist Marty Kanarek, University of WisconsinSchool of Medicine and Public 7) 624-30747
Do Your HomeworkAsbestosAbatement CostsAsbestos abatement is costly because of the federalregulations governing the process and protectivemeasures taken to ensure the safety of asbestosabatement workers and the public.Now that you understand some of the intricacies of asbestos, itsdangers to you and others, the importance of properly removing itfrom a structure and the costs involved, you are better equipped tomake the right decision.Research asbestos abatement companies, ask for references andinquire about how they remove asbestos from properties. You, yourloved ones and the general public will be far safer when the threatof asbestos exposure is properly eliminated. 400 - 600 25 - 75 20,000 - 30,000Initial home inspection for asbestosSample analysisComplete removal from an average-sized home“There are so many factors involved, butabatement can range from a few hundreddollars to a few thousand dollars. And if it’sa certain type of material, it can be tens ofthousands of dollars.”Anthony Rich, Asbestos InspectorCommercial buildings can become multimillion-Encapsulating asbestos, which meansdollar asbestos abatement projects. Before thecovering it with a protective barrier to reduceTwin Towers in New York collapsed, estimatesany risk of exposure, can lower abatementwere 1 million per floor.costs. Discuss it with the asbestos abatementcompany before work 77) 624-30748
Although asbestos isn't banned in the U.S., its use is limited. However, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) still pose a danger to the public because they were common building products in homes, schools and other structures built before the 1980s. Asbestos abatement involves the identification, removal, repair and encapsulation of
