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The harmful effects of asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in the earth’s crust. When mined and processed its long fibers, which are fireproof and insulative, mesh together and are able to take many forms, often giving strength and durability to materials. Unfortunately, this material can cause lung cancer when inhaled.

It can be found in many applications from older floor tiles to wrapping places around heating ducts in older houses to fireproofing materials. The most likely sources of asbestos in a home that can eventually create a problem are the old pipe and duct insulations and ‘popcorn’ ceiling finishes. Either of these may over time begin to deteriorate and allow the asbestos to become airborne.

Hire a professional asbestos removal service

If you have an asbestos problem in your home, you should call an asbestos abatement company. They will collect samples and have them tested and if positive, will present you with an abatement proposal. Asbestos can settle in the carpet, cracks between woodwork and the wall, and between the boards of hardwood floors to name a few. As soon as these are disturbed sufficiently these fibers can become airborne. Even microscopic fibers can be detrimental to health if inhaled. This is why abatement companies are licensed to do this removal.

These companies are trained to encapsulate it.  They might spray it with water to keep the fibers from becoming airborne and would have disposal bags ready at the point of removal to contain it. A HEPA filtration system is usually employed to create negative pressure in the room.

These professionals would also cover everything including the walls in plastic beforehand so that anything that broke loose would be contained. All this would be sprayed down again, wrapped up, and placed in a sealed removal bag. Every possible precaution is taken to keep the asbestos from being released into the air.

Asbestos removal is the Work of Professionals

Asbestos removal is a highly dangerous job, due to the risks involved, and is specialized work that requires a government license, that authorizes them to remove it. The use of a certified asbestos abatement company is not required by law, but it is very important to do so. Verify its qualifications before hiring an asbestos abatement firm. The work must be done according to the local state and federal guidelines and the asbestos waste must be disposed of properly usually at a HAZMAT landfill. If not done according to the guidelines and not disposed of properly, it can result in heavy fines.

Companies have to put in safety protocols to protect themselves and members of the public from the toxic effects of asbestos exposure. All of the asbestos then has to be sealed in bags, labeled, and taken to a special disposal location. Workers have to wear disposable garments and masks with a special filter that also has to go into the bags. It is a very expensive element to be removed safely, cannot be dumped at the local rubbish dump and has to be disposed of in a  special, secure, and safe facility where it can be contained.  The asbestos Workers and Supervisors are certified through mostly state-approved classes, which also have to be EPA approved. If you are looking for asbestos removalist Melbourne, go no further than Express Asbestos Solutions. Visit their website for more information.

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