June 20, 2023
Why it’s important to handle asbestos safely
Workers and the public are at risk for asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Every exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing these diseases. Mesothelioma experts have not yet found a cure to mesothelioma, or any asbestos-related disease. It is for this reason that strict laws have been passed on how asbestos-containing products should be handled and disposed of.
The regulations are designed to protect workers and the public from asbestos exposure. Those who violate asbestos laws face heavy fines and severe penalties.
Do-it-yourselfers are discouraged from tackling asbestos removal projects that should only be undertaken by professionals. The penalties and fines also encourage building owners to adhere to regulations to protect public health.
Asbestos: How to handle and dispose of it
It is important to note that it is not advisable to handle or dispose of asbestos yourself. Asbestos can be a deadly cancerous substance and should only ever be handled by professionals who are licensed to handle asbestos.
It is not recommended to disturb asbestos-containing material in any way. You can find online information about asbestos abatement.
You can wet friable asbestos products to stop them from releasing fibres. This will keep you safe until you get a professional to inspect your home.
These professionals are certified and highly-trained to comply with all federal and state laws that govern asbestos removal and disposal. You could face a fine or penalty if you do not hire a professional.
Handling and disposing asbestos regulations include
Plan the Project Appropriately. Licensed professionals are able to accurately assess the scope and severity of an asbestos-abatement project. Local officials are very concerned about this when issuing permits for various types of asbestos-abatement project.
Negative air pressure units are used to seal off the work area and prevent contamination from outside. Plastic sheeting must be used to cover surfaces that do not require abatement. Signs must be displayed to warn others of asbestos projects.
To prevent asbestos exposure, workers must wear a respirator (N-100 or P-101) and protective clothing.
Safety Protocols for the Work Area HVAC systems should be turned off to prevent asbestos fibres from being circulated. To control dust, workers should use HEPA vacuums or wet wipes to remove asbestos from immovable objects. After the abatement, the area is cleaned up with a HEPA vacuum.
Asbestos containing materials must be wetted before any removal attempts. As workers work with asbestos-contaminated materials, they must wear a respirator as well as personal safety protection. All asbestos waste produced during the project has to be soaked before being double-bagged in 6-millimeter bags, and then enclosed in a plastic container that is leak-proof and has a lid. Only special landfills designated for asbestos waste can be used to dispose of it.
Create Decontamination Units. Decontamination enclosures must be installed for workers to remove contaminated shoes, clothing and tools.
Follow Decontamination Procedures. Professionals are required to follow certain steps in order to remove contaminated clothing and protective equipment. These procedures are designed to ensure the safety of workers and prevent them from bringing asbestos home.
How Is Asbestos Recycled?
Microwave thermal treatment or milling at high speeds heats asbestos to create non-hazardous material such as porcelain or glass. Recent technological developments by the U.S. Department of Energy and private industry have made it possible to convert asbestos into non-toxic materials. However, this process is expensive and complex.
There are several methods for recycling asbestos.
To break down asbestos, the most common method is to heat asbestos-containing material in a solution of sodium hydroxide above 1,250 degrees Celsius. This process produces non-hazardous glass and results in the thermal decomposition asbestos fibers. Glass can be used in ceramics, stoneware and concrete.
A microwave thermal treatment is another method to convert asbestos into porcelain or ceramic tiles.
Thirdly, a high-speed grinding process is used to reduce asbestos fibers into inert non-hazardous minerals.
These methods can reduce the volume by up to 99.7% depending on the type of material being recycled. This volume reduction is good for landfills, and reduces costs of asbestos disposal in Auckland because pricing is based upon volume.
These non-hazardous products can either be delivered to a landfill or used as construction material, packing material or concrete aggregate.
Recycling asbestos materials has many benefits
Recycling asbestos fibers into non-hazardous substances is a permanent solution.
Reusable products: The final products can be applied to a wide range of applications.
Reduction of Waste: This process significantly reduces the amount of asbestos-containing material, saving valuable landfill space.
Asbestos is not dumped in landfills. The recycling process protects landfill workers against exposure by preventing the dumping asbestos products.
Recycle asbestos to offset costs of abatement. Recycling asbestos produces material that is safe for use, rather than paying high prices for hazardous waste disposal.
To prevent asbestos-related disease, it is morally right to remove asbestos from the waste stream.
The cost of recycling is currently three times higher than the traditional disposal of asbestos in landfills that are designated for asbestos waste. The non-hazardous products can be sold to recover some of the costs.
The general public in the United States is not allowed to recycle asbestos. The Department of Defense recycled asbestos-containing material at the Savannah River Site, in Aiken South Carolina. Around the world, private companies are developing and refining technologies for asbestos recycling with the aim of making it affordable in the future.
Asbestos recycling may not be a cost-effective option for most applications but it is a safe way to dispose asbestos-containing material. As the number of US-regulated disposal sites decreases, asbestos recycling is becoming more important.
As technology continues to improve and landfill space continues its decline, asbestos recycling is becoming a viable way to dispose of the legacy asbestos products.
Asbestos Removal and Disposal Improper
If asbestos abatement is not done correctly, there are serious penalties and fines.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that certain practices be followed when demolishing asbestos-containing structures to avoid exposing workers or the public to asbestos. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires certain practices for the demolition of asbestos-containing buildings to avoid exposing workers and the public to asbestos.
A contractor from Iowa who was a housing inspector and experienced contractor, was sentenced in February 2019 to two years probation and a fine of $10,000 for the improper removal of asbestos. He had purchased a house with the intention of renovating and turning it into an apartment. The contractor did not inspect the house for asbestos. He hired workers that were unlicensed in asbestos abatement, and he failed to notify the Iowa Department of Natural Resources about the asbestos abatement.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited in 2014 two companies for 19 violations of safety and health involving asbestos during the demolition of a Seattle building. The violations included asbestos exposure, asbestos debris left on the site, and other violations during demolition. The asbestos was found in the building’s sheet vinyl flooring and popcorn ceilings. The violations resulted in fines of up to $379,100.
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