Asbestos abatement is a set of procedures designed to control the release of asbestos fibers from asbestos-containing materials. The process of removing or mitigating the effects caused by asbestos is called asbestos abatement. Here are some key points about asbestos abatement:
- Asbestos abatement is utilized during general construction in areas containing asbestos materials, particularly when those materials are being removed, encapsulated, or repaired.
- Asbestos abatement involves the identification, removal, repair, and encapsulation of materials or products in a structure to eliminate the threat of exposure to toxic asbestos fibers.
- Asbestos abatement does not always necessitate removal, because when asbestos is undisturbed and intact, it can often be kept in place with minimal risk of exposure.
- If there is enough risk present or the asbestos-containing building material (ACBM) will be impacted by renovation or demolition, a work plan to safely abate the substance needs to be prepared before removing or otherwise handling this toxic substance.
- Asbestos abatement should only be handled by a licensed asbestos abatement company.
- When asbestos abatement is taking place, occupants are not allowed to enter the area. Typically, the part of the building from which asbestos is being removed has to be sealed off in order to prevent contamination of the other areas.
- Asbestos regulations require that only those involved in the actual asbestos removal be present.
- Asbestos-containing materials were used in many products to resist heat, making them valuable to the building industry. Common asbestos-containing materials in buildings include insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and roofing materials.
- Inhaling or ingesting asbestos can lead to serious health issues such as mesothelioma cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and asbestos lung cancer.
- Asbestos abatement is important because if damaged asbestos-containing materials are not properly removed, they can endanger the lives of those who come into contact with asbestos dust, fibers, or raw asbestos materials.
