Asbestos Removal for Homeowners & Businesses
After a severe weather event, it's crucial to be aware of any asbestos-containing items that can be present and constitute a health danger if not handled appropriately during the asbestos removal process. Asbestos fibres or dust particles can be breathed or ingested when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during building repairs, restorations, or demolitions.
Presence of Asbestos
Asbestos has been used in many building products, including siding, ceiling and floor tiles, stucco, sheetrock/joint compound, ceiling texture (popcorn ceiling), caulking, mastics, and roofing materials, due to its fibre strength and heat resistance. The majority of structures that contain asbestos-containing materials were constructed before.
What is Regulated?
A typical exception to the federal and state asbestos restrictions is work performed in residential structures with four or fewer dwelling units.
To remove materials, make repairs, modify, or demolish a home, a homeowner must hire a licensed Asbestos removal contractor who will adhere to all asbestos requirements.
The rules do apply to any institutional, commercial, public, or industrial structure, including condos or individual homes used as part of a cooperative housing arrangement.
Exposure to Asbestos
Disrupting asbestos-containing materials during building restorations, renovations, or demolitions may release asbestos fibres into the air.
Exposure typically only happens when asbestos-containing material is destroyed or disturbed in a way that sends fibres and dust into the air. Unaltered asbestos-containing items can be left alone without risk.
Minimising Asbestos Exposure
The following work techniques and procedures should be followed to reduce releases of airborne asbestos fibres and individual exposure if homeowners opt to perform home improvement projects themselves or hire an unlicensed asbestos contractor:
● Always keep anything that might contain asbestos damp. You can use a low-pressure garden sprayer set to "mist." Water aids in preventing the airborne spread of asbestos fibres.
● The above-mentioned materials and others containing asbestos should not be torn, ripped, chipped, cut, or ground. The likelihood of asbestos fibres being discharged rises due to these actions.
● Materials containing asbestos should not be dropped or thrown on the ground. Instead, gently lower them to avoid breaking or releasing fibres into the air.
● Any asbestos-containing materials should be disposed of at an asbestos-accepting landfill. For a list of landfills that take asbestos,
● Submit a Notification of Residential Non-friable Asbestos Abatement Project to the Asbestos Section to obtain a disposal permit before you dispose of asbestos-containing materials. The homeowner must deliver this notification to the asbestos section to get a disposal permit.
Asbestos-containing materials can be used securely. Even after repairs, asbestos-containing materials should still be cautiously handled. Use caution near them to avoid upsetting the materials and releasing asbestos fibres.
Before remodelling or demolishing regulated asbestos-containing materials, owners of controlled buildings must use contractors with licences. These contractors must follow federal and state asbestos regulations.
Have asbestos clean-up in mind. You can choose removal over repair if you don't want asbestos-containing items in the structure. Employ a contractor who has received EPA training. The Asbestos Removal process is more hazardous than the repair process and could endanger the health of those utilising the facility.