Asbestos Removal

The first week of April, 2014, was the Global Asbestos Awareness Week. Not only is the exposure to asbestos a problem in the United States, but asbestos has been used throughout the world. In the past, asbestos was used in a variety of products to strengthen them, provide fire resistance and to provide heat insulation. Since the 1970s, most manufacturing and processing of asbestos in the Untied States has been banned (in the form of amphiboles). There is, however, asbestos chrysotile fibre that is still commercialized.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to six unique substances that belong to the serpentine and amphibole mineral families. This mineral based fibre has been widely used in building materials due to its resistance to heat and corrosive chemicals. Asbestos is not a mineral in itself. It is a collective term given to a group of minerals whose crystals occur in fibrous forms. The term asbestos was adopted for commercial identification. The three main types of asbestos are: chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite. Typically, asbestos appears as a whitish, fibrous material. The fibres can range in texture from coarse to silky. Asbestos fibres can go airborne and they can be too small to see with the naked eye.

What is Asbestos Used For?

Asbestos is used in residential buildings because of the thermal insulation, acoustical insulation, fire protection and the strengthening of other materials.

General Use:

• Insulating Materials
• Floor Coverings
• Household Appliances

Why is Asbestos Harmful to Health?

Exposure to inhaled asbestos dust can be dangerous to health. It causes lung cancer. Even breathing in small, invisible quantities of asbestos is known to cause cancer 20 to 30 years down the road. Mesothelioma is the type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen. This type of cancer is always fatal. People who have been exposed to asbestos have been known to have increased rates of esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, large intestinal cancer and rectum cancer.

Asbestos Removal

Dealing with asbestos is very dangerous. This is why there are trained and accredited asbestos professionals. The state of California requires all contractors and employees who work on asbestos projects (that involve more than 100 square feet with a concentration of more than 0.1% asbestos) to register with the Asbestos Contractors? Registration Unit.

The Five Disciplines for Asbestos Training

To stay certified, a worker must complete an initial course and annual renewal courses. All of these courses must be completed with a certified training facility that adheres to strict regulations and rules.

The 5 asbestos ?disciplines? are:

• Worker
• Contractor/Supervisor
• Building Inspector
• Management Planner
• Project Designer

Asbestos Testing

A licensed professional with specialized equipment must be hired for the job. By using a polarized light microscope, lab technicians can examine a sample and determine whether or not the sample is dangerous. There are 38 certified laboratories in California that are permitted to test for asbestos.

Asbestos Removal Procedure

Asbestos removal is very dangerous. Therefore, professionals take huge?precautions to make sure the material is removed safely. Here are some of the steps to remove the dangerous material.

• Containment: Seal off uncontaminated surfaces with 6 mil plastic sheets.
• Respirator and Protective Suit: According to the California’s DTSC code for hazardous waste removal, you must wear these to remove asbestos.
• Use a Negative Air Machine: A machines designed to filter the air and is used in isolation rooms containing hazardous material.
• Bag and Seal Asbestos Material: Wet the material on all sides and put the material in double bags 6 mil thick.
• Perform In-Progress Inspections: Ensure that asbestos-containing material does not move outside of the containment area.
• Clean Infected Area: Using HEPA vacuum cleaners and clean wet rags to clean area.
• Dispose of All Asbestos Containing Material: This includes protective clothing, bagged material, containment plastic, etc.

?CA Asbestos Removal Resources

• Asbestos Contractor Registration?

• Asbestos Trainers Approval

• California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1529

• Indoor Air Quality Information Sheet

• Managing Asbestos Waste

We are Alert Disaster Restoration. As always, we are alert and ready for all your restoration needs. Call us at: 1 (877) 435-8117