Tips On Removing Asbestos from Your Home
The presence of asbestos in your home can be a dangerous and complex issue. Failure to remove such a danger can result in various forms of cancer and other health concerns. Any exposure to asbestos puts people in harm's way. To protect your family, friends, and other visitors to your home, you must have asbestos properly removed as soon as it's discovered. Proper asbestos removal should never be done as a DIY project and should be handled by a professional.
What are the Health Risks of Asbestos?
There are many health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Whether you are spending extended periods of time in an asbestos-exposed area or are removing it, your health could be in danger. Professionals removing asbestos must always wear protective gear to prevent damage to their health. The health concerns associated with asbestos include, but are not limited to:
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma Cancer
- Asbestosis
- Various other forms of cancer
Many of the risks associated with asbestos involve breathing. If you are experiencing breathing issues and/or are concerned that you've been exposed to asbestos, it is best to see your doctor as soon as possible!
How Should Asbestos be Handled and Removed?
Many steps are included in asbestos removal. Without the necessary steps, licensed professionals would be at risk. However, with the proper implementation of each stage, workers can meet regulations, and professionals can be protected. The removal starts with a project plan. The plan is crucial to understand the asbestos's depth and severity so that contractors can ascertain the required permits. After the plan is in place, the physical work begins.
Prep
Preparation includes sealing the danger zone with plastic and setting up machines that filter the air. Everything that is uncontaminated must also be covered in plastic. The crew must also place warning signs to prevent unapproved access to the worksite.
Proper PPE and Safety Protocols
Anyone working with asbestos has to wear a proper respirator as well as a hazmat suit. If the air conditioner or heating is operational, it must be disabled to prevent contaminated air from flowing elsewhere. Safety protocols also insist that workers properly clean the items within the room after completing the project.
Handling and Disposal
Proper handling of asbestos requires it to be wet. Fewer particles will disperse into the air by wetting it before removing it. Even with the appropriate PPE and safety protocols, it is vital to prevent stirring up asbestos more than necessary. The asbestos is then placed in a double bag system and contained within a lidded container. Once a worker has labeled the container as asbestos, the licensed contractor can take it to a designated landfill.
Decontamination
When the project is complete, asbestos professionals must go through a strict decontamination procedure requiring the removal of all clothing, footwear, and tools. Without proper decontamination, those working with asbestos could bring the contaminated items to their vehicles, homes, and other places they visit.
Contact Us For Asbestos Testing In Massachusetts!
DCM Environmental Testing proudly provides asbestos testing to Greater Boston and the rest of Massachusetts! For more information about asbestos testing in Massachusetts, contact DCM Environmental at (617) 481-5782 or fill out the contact form on our website.
