Asbestos Demolition
Several older buildings still have asbestos in their structures, and when these buildings are taken down or renovated, asbestos demolition produces asbestos impurities that float in the air and the construction workers on site are left in constant danger. Asbestos, especially friable asbestos, is known to release fragments of its fibers when handled, and these microscopic asbestos fibers float in the air and are inhaled. The particles remain in the lungs for hours. When the body becomes incapable of removing these fibers naturally, there are health hazards which can even lead to cancer.
In the past, asbestos was used as a heat insulator, and being a fire resistant material there were many other applications. With banning of asbestos, many structures are undergoing asbestos encapsulation, in which the naked asbestos is coated with a special material. This in effect contains the asbestos dust and fibers from escaping into the environment. In places, where asbestos demolition is taking place, special pre-cautions should be taken to keep the dust and particles from friable asbestos to be inhaled by the workers.
The wet method used for asbestos demolition involves in spraying the area containing asbestos with a fire-hose and then bull-dose the area with the asbestos in place. This is not a safe way for asbestos demolition as it can become dangerously harmful to the surrounding inhabitants with high levels of asbestos particles being spread into the surrounding areas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expressed their dismay at this procedure of asbestos demolition and has not approved the method, especially the bull-dosing part.
Even though the use of asbestos has been banned, it is likely that many homes in the United States are still contaminated with asbestos particles. Asbestos has been used in several of the homes as insulation and floor backing in homes, and as boiler insulation. While use of asbestos is very effective as an insulator, it is very unsafe because of the toxic nature of asbestos fumes. Removal of asbestos presents health hazards if asbestos demolition is not done in a proper way.
Asbestos regulations categorically state the procedures of asbestos testing have to be done where asbestos demolition has taken place. If you are having your home renovated or demolished, and your home uses asbestos in a way of insulation or other, asbestos demolition has to be done with care.
The process of asbestos demolition mostly involves use of hand tools to minimize the release of asbestos dust in removal of asbestos. It is preferable that you sand the area with wet sand as dry sand is likely to release asbestos dust in the air. It will be greatly helpful if you moisten the asbestos area before you start the process of removal of asbestos insulation or structure. Abrasive blasting system or any other high pressure techniques should never be used when removing asbestos. The waste coming out of asbestos demolition should be removed to a safer location immediately.
If your home is found to have asbestos-containing materials, it is necessary to follow few steps to safeguard yourself and your family. You need to have asbestos test done at your earliest convenience, and have asbestos encapsulation done or have the area demolished. Asbestos demolition should be done by qualified workers in a manner acceptable by EPA, and remember that you need to submit a notice to the correct authorities minimum of twenty-four hours before asbestos removal can begin.
