Homeowners or residents of buildings that were built before the 1980s should be aware of the potential risk of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), and their risks. Asbestos is a highly hazardous group of materials that come with severe health risks, and if the disposal is needed, it can be a complex and dangerous process. If done incorrectly, not only is there the potential for fines and legal penalties, but you could face the risk of developing asbestosis or even cancer later in life.
We’re going to look at how to dispose of asbestos, safely and effectively. We’ll cover where you will need to dispose of it, and what you’ll need to consider before, during, and after the project. In most cases, dealing with asbestos is more than the average individual or homeowner can deal with, in which case you’ll need to partner with a local professional to help deal with the problem. Let’s get into it.
Identifying Asbestos Materials
Before you can dispose of asbestos, you’ll first need to identify and confirm the presence of Asbestos Containing Materials in your home. Asbestos was most commonly used in the construction industry for things like insulation, roofing, flooring, and more. Any homes that were built before then have a high chance of having ACMs present in the home.
It can be difficult to accurately identify ACMs without extensive training, so to ensure the safety of your and your family, it’s highly recommended to contact a professional asbestos inspector to search for, test, and remove any asbestos-containing materials that may be in your home. The samples will also be lab-tested, to ensure the accuracy of the identification.
How To Dispose of Asbestos – Preparation
Once you’ve confirmed the presence of asbestos, it’s important to understand the steps required for safe and legal removal. Here are the steps required for both preparation of ACMs.
- Contacting a professional, state-licensed asbestos abatement contractor should happen before anything else. They’ll have the specific knowledge, training, and equipment to get the job done safely.
- Planning the removal will require a detailed plan to be created that outlines the removal and disposal process, and defines the scope of the work, decontamination process, and more.
- The last step of your preparation will involve notifying the appropriate authorities in your jurisdiction about the abatement work that’s going to occur. Paperwork needs to be filed and permits obtained.
Post-Removal – Where To Dispose of Asbestos
Once the removal has been planned and approved, disposal can take place. Here’s what is generally involved with an asbestos abatement project:
- Containment: The removal area will be sealed off to prevent contamination of nearby areas.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): All workers involved will need to wear appropriate PPE, such as coveralls, respirators, gloves, and more.
- Removal & Bagging: The asbestos material being removed needs to be handled delicately, and placed into sealed, leak-tight bags that are labeled clearly as asbestos waste.
- Transportation: The waste will be transported to an authorized asbestos disposal facility, following all local, state, and federal regulations.
Once the asbestos has been cleaned up and disposed of, the area itself must be cleaned as well. The abatement contractor will decontaminate the area and perform a final visual inspection before they will remove all containment barriers.
Home Biotesting Can Be Your Asbestos Disposal Partner
Many people think asbestos removal is something they can knock out on a weekend, but it requires licensed, professional attention. Make sure you stay on the right side of the state and federal regulations, and don’t jeopardize your family’s safety, partner with Home Biotesting for your asbestos removal needs. Reach out today for more information.