Asbestos is commonly found in older buildings and materials. It is a highly hazardous material that can lead to serious disease upon exposure. It contains dangerous toxins that should be handled with utmost care.
Improper handling will put you at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos Removal In Connecticut | ARCT can help you dispose of asbestos from your home in a safe manner.
How to Dispose Of Asbestos?
The first thing to know about handling or disposing of asbestos is that it is not a “do it yourself” job. Asbestos is a deadly carcinogen that only trained and licensed professionals should handle. These professionals will follow all state and federal laws regarding asbestos disposal and ensure the material is removed and disposed of safely.
Regulations That Govern Handling of Asbestos
There are strict regulations on handling and disposing of asbestos. These regulations will prevent you from exposure to asbestos-containing materials. You will have to pay huge fines and face serious penalties if you violate them. Regulations governing asbestos handling and disposal include:
Planning the Project Correctly
Licensed professionals should assess the severity and size of the abatement project. The local officials can then provide permits for the project based on this information.
Preparing the Work Area
The professionals must seal off the work area with plastic sheets and negative air pressure units to prevent contamination outside. Even surfaces that don’t require abating should be covered with plastic sheets. The team should also use warning signs to alert others that an asbestos abatement project is underway.
Wearing Personal Safety Gear
The workers handling the asbestos must wear a P-100 or N-100 respirator. They should also wear protective clothing to prevent exposure.
Safety Protocols in the Work Area
The team must disable HVAC systems to prevent the circulation of asbestos fibers. Workers must use a HEPA vacuum or wet wipes to clean asbestos from immovable objects. The HEPA vacuum can be used to clean the entire area once the project is completed.
Handling and Disposing of the Waste
The team must wet the asbestos-containing materials before removing them. This waste should then be double-bagged in 6-millimeter plastic bags and placed in a leak-tight plastic container with a lid. This container should be labeled appropriately and disposed of in designated landfills that accept asbestos waste.
Decontamination Units
The team should create decontamination enclosures where they can remove the contaminated clothing, tools, and shoes once the project is complete. This will ensure worker safety and prevent asbestos from being carried into their homes.
Once the asbestos is removed from your place, it can either be disposed of at a landfill or sent for recycling.
Can Asbestos be Recycled?
Asbestos can be recycled. However, its recycling process is different from plastic and paper. Asbestos recycling requires high temperatures to change the asbestos fibers into something safer, like glass or ceramic.
How to Recycle Asbestos
Many technological developments have made it possible to convert asbestos products into non-toxic materials. Some of the common procedures include:
- Heating asbestos-containing materials in a sodium hydroxide solution above 1,250 Celsius. This breaks down the asbestos, decomposes it thermally, and produces a nonhazardous glass. This glass can then be used to create stoneware and ceramic products. It can also be used as an aggregate for concrete and roads.
- Microwave thermal treatment that turns the asbestos into porcelain tiles or ceramic bricks
- High-speed milling to break the asbestos fibers into nonhazardous materials.
These methods can help reduce the volume of asbestos waste by – 50-99%. This volume reduction helps landfills and reduces the cost of asbestos disposal.
Benefits of Recycling Asbestos
There are several benefits of recycling asbestos. Some of them are given below:
- The recycling process destroys asbestos and converts it into a nonhazardous substance
- The end products can be used in several ways
- The recycling process reduces the volume of hazardous materials considerably, saving space in the landfills
- Prevents large amounts of asbestos from being dumped into landfills, protecting landfill workers from exposure.
- Offsets the abatement cost by producing items that can be safely used
- Helps the environment and prevents future asbestos-related medical issues
The cost of asbestos recycling is about three times the cost of traditional disposal. However, some of this cost can be recovered by selling safe, recycled substances. Several companies worldwide are constantly working on introducing new technologies and methods of asbestos recycling to make it affordable.
Safely removing and recycling asbestos is good not just for you but for the environment as well. Companies like Asbestos Removal CT offer asbestos abatement services for residential and commercial property owners. They have a team of trained and experienced professionals who identify the presence of asbestos and eliminate it safely from your home.
