How to Remove Asbestos Safely
Posted By admin On March 2, 2010 @ 12:36 pm In Home Improvements,Home Repair & Maintenance,Home Safety | Comments Disabled
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral found in metamorphic rocks and soils. The strength, insulating and fire-proofing properties of this mineral made it a popular and widely used material in the building industry between the 1940s and 1980s.
Asbestos, though no longer generally used today, can be found in a range of pre-existing materials common in homes and commercial buildings, including:
The fibrous nature of asbestos can pose a serious health risk. If asbestos containing material (ACM) becomes broken, crumbly or is handled incorrectly it can release minute fibres into the air. If these fibres are inhaled, life-threatening illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma may occur.
No safe minimum level of exposure to asbestos fibres has been identified. Therefore, all contact with asbestos dust should be avoided.
Although the effects of airborne asbestos fibres are frightening, it should be noted that “non-friable” or “bonded” asbestos containing materials (i.e. those which are not crumbly and in which the asbestos fibres are firmly bound or sealed) are not considered to pose a health risk.
ACM which is in good condition, unbroken, and well sealed and is in an area of the home that is not prone to impact or abrasion may be deemed relatively safe.
Given the risks associated with asbestos fibres, removing asbestos containing material from your home is a task best left to a professional asbestos removal contractor. In fact the Ministry of Health [1] recommends that Department of Labour certified contractors be used.
However, if you choose to remove that nasty ACM yourself, it is essential for the safety of your family that you follow certain guidelines in workplace preparation, working practices, disposal and clean-up.
Although, by adhering to the safe work practices outlined in this article, it is possible for the amateur to remove asbestos containing material, the job is difficult, demands scrupulous attention to safety, and requires the purchase of protective materials and clothing. Health & Safety training organisations also often have online courses on how to work safely with asbestos [2], especially in the workplace.
Working in a full-face mask and body suit is not the most pleasant experience and most home owners would be well advised to follow the Ministry of Health’s recommendation to hire an experienced and licensed contractor to perform the work.
To learn more about asbestos removal check out this video.
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URLs in this post:
[1] Ministry of Health: http://www.health.govt.nz/
[2] online courses on how to work safely with asbestos: http://www.verticalhorizonz.com/nz/courses/on-line_training/courses/on-line_asbestos_and_safety_procedures
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