The Asbestos Removal Process – What You Need to Know
Asbestos in the home or office poses a major health hazard, as such the asbestos removal process must be handled carefully and delicately. If not, asbestos can cause a number of respiratory issues and even lead to cancer.
Given how important getting rid of asbestos is, the First Response technicians would like you to know all the crucial steps in handling asbestos when it is located.
Identification and Mitigation Start the Asbestos Removal Process
If you suspect that your building contains asbestos, you need to stay away and keep others away until you can get a professional analysis of the materials in question.
You will need a certified expert to examine the area and the suspect items for asbestos contamination. They will start with a visual inspection to verify and possibly locate any other suspicious materials you may have missed. The items in question will then be moved to a lab where technicians will test the samples for asbestos.
If asbestos is detected, the inspector will advise on how to proceed.
Asbestos Removal after Detection
The next step in asbestos remediation will vary based on the physical condition of the materials in question.
A simpler solution for a salvageable condition is encapsulation, the asbestos is coated in a sealant that traps the fibers in an adhesive compound. This prevents any asbestos fibers from becoming airborne and keeps the air free from any contamination.
If the contamination is too severe, the asbestos needs to be removed from the building as soon as possible. An evacuation will be necessary to prevent anyone from inhaling fibers and falling sick.
Very specific protocols need to be followed to ensure the safety of the technicians removing the asbestos.
All HVAC units must be turned off and all air vents need to be sealed. This stops the spread of any airborne asbestos fibers throughout the building.- The area where the asbestos is located is sealed off with plastic sheeting to contain the fibers locally.
- Technicians use protective equipment like full-face mask respirators and coveralls when handling contaminated materials.
- Removing asbestos from the building is done in air-tight containers that are clearly marked
- The workspace is cleaned with HEPA filter vacuums and wet cleanup tools
- All technicians and equipment used must undergo decontamination protocols after the asbestos has been completely removed from the building.
Afterward, your home or office space is free and clear of any asbestos contaminants and all occupants are safe from exposure to asbestos.
First Response – Ontario’s Certified Heavy Duty Cleaning Authority
The dangers of asbestos cannot be understated so you need to act quickly if you suspect that asbestos might be present in your building.
However, the asbestos removal process is not for the average person. You should always call for a professional service when dealing with asbestos so please contact us when you need asbestos removed from your location. Our team will formulate a plan to quickly and effectively remove the contamination and leave the building safe and healthy.
