Consulting

Asbestos Remediation

uite a few of my remodel projects through the years revealed mold, asbestos, lead, radon and other hazards. From them I’ve learned not just about abatement, but also how to prevent conditions conducive to problems.” Says Steve Wauson.

In the residential environment, asbestos greatest risk arises during remodels and additions to existing residences. Sawing, removing, disturbing or modifying components containing asbestos will release asbestos fibers into the air. This is serious and extremely dangerous. Wetting the material greatly reduces the amount of particulates becoming airborne.

When dealing with materials laden with asbestos:

Regulations concerning the removal of asbestos vary according to jurisdictions. Check local regulations. Often the homeowner may have to complete this remediation; otherwise someone with a license must complete it.

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Asbestos Background

Asbestos is often found in heating system insulation, decorative spray-on ceiling treatments, vinyl flooring, and cement shake siding. It is estimated that it has been used inthousands of construction materials. Asbestos can be found in all continents. Men have used it since 3000 BC. It is an extremely stable substance, and one of the greatest insulators known to man.

Asbestos is commonly mixed with other materials to form thousands of products. The Greek origin of the word means "inextinguishable" due to its resistance to chemicals and heat. In the olden times Egyptians embalmed pharaohs with asbestos. Its fibers are virtually indestructible; they do not evaporate into air dissolve in water, or break down over time.

Asbestos breaks down into minute fibers. They remain suspended in the environment for hours or even days. Asbestos fibers are 700 times smaller than a human hair.

Asbestos has been referred to by other names such as: "mountain leather," "incombustible linen," and "rock floss." The name of chrysotile, —a common kind, is derived from the Greek, meaning "gold fiber."

Asbestos and Health

When inhaled Asbestos fibers are a known to become carcinogenic agents —only in its fibrous and airborne form. The first documented case of an asbestos-related death was reported in 1906 but it wasn’t until the 1970s, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began to regulate asbestos.

Today workers are protected from exposure to asbestos as a result of very strict regulations and enforcement. Significant exposure to any type of asbestos will increase the risk of Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, Nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders such as asbestosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and pleural effusions.

Diseases from asbestos exposure take a long time to develop: Undisturbed in existing residences, asbestos does not become airborne, therefore not likely to result in adverse health effects. For the most part, residences built in the last 30 years do not contain asbestos.

Types of Asbestos

The three main types of asbestos commercially used are:

Blue and brown asbestos are considered more dangerous than white asbestos.

Asbestos is found in two forms: Friable and non-friable. Friable asbestos can be easily crumbled by hand pressure. It usually appears as flakes or chunks of white material. It is the most dangerous form of asbestos because its fibers become airborne when disturbed.

Non- Friable asbestos can be easily bonded with another material. The contained fibers are are less likely to become airborne unless cutting or scraping the material.

Friable Asbestos:

Non-Friable Asbestos:

Twenty years ago, it was necessary sending samples to a lab of all materials suspect of containing asbestos. Experience has taught us which materials contain asbestos. Today testing is rarely required —except for the occasional popcorn ceiling.

Removal is the only permanent solution however, the material may be encapsulated or enclosed. Asbestos waste should never be disposed with household trash.

Recommended Links

Asbestos Contamination