Asbestos Basics

Asbestos must be inhaled to cause disease.  The health risk is considered minimal for asbestos containing materials (ACM) in good condition, in an inaccessible location and protected from damage.  Where damage or disturbance cannot be controlled, or where deterioration is due to natural causes, management of the exposure risk can be difficult.  The following are examples whereby ACM may be disturbed and could cause a health risk:

·         Disturbing loose-fill vermiculite insulation which may contain asbestos

·         Removing deteriorating roofing shingles and siding containing asbestos, or tampering with roofing felt that contains asbestos

·         Ripping away old asbestos insulation from around a hot water tank

·         Sanding or scraping vinyl asbestos floor tiles

·         Breaking apart acoustical ceilings tiles containing asbestos

·         Sanding plaster containing asbestos, or sanding or disturbing acoustical plaster that gives ceilings and walls a soft, textured look

·         Sanding or scraping older waterbased asbestos coatings such as roofing compounds, spackling, sealants, paint, putty, caulking or drywall

·         Sawing, drilling or smoothing rough edges of new or old asbestos materials

Asbestos abatement should be carried out by professionals following government regulations and site specific requirements.  Moderate and high risk projects require air monitoring and precautions must be taken to protect workers and others nearby.  If you require further information about asbestos abatement contact Enviromarc at: info@enviromarc.com or (1) 780 533 3033.  www.enviromarc.com

Jo Campbell

Enviromarc
780 933 9113 c
780 533 3033 p
ww.enviromarc.com
jcampbell@enviromarc.com

 

A Bit About the Author:

Jo has worked in the Environmental Industry, both in Europe and North America for over thirteen years, and created Enviromarc to provide a comprehensive range of environmental support services to small, medium and large sized environmental companies.  The business approach adopted by Enviromarc allows project flexibility and some of the lowest field and professional rates in the industry, with absolutely no compromise on quality!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Asbestos

Four Simple Steps to Effectively Managing Asbestos

If you suspect or know of asbestos containing material(s) in a property then carry out the following:

·         Employ an environmental professional to take a sample of the material and determine if it does contain asbestos.  They should be able to tell you the type and percentage of asbestos from the lab results.

Vermiculite Insulation in Attic Space

·         If the material does contain asbestos then have an intrusive asbestos survey carried out to determine the nature and extent of all potential asbestos containing materials within the property.  In older properties it is likely that that there was more than one type of ACM used.  This will involve cutting open small openings in walls/ floors/ ceilings etc. to fully assess all potential ACM.  

·         Once the intrusive survey is complete have the environmental professional pull together a plan for dealing with the ACM.  Some may require to be removed some may not, depending on location and whether or not it is not going to be disturbed. 

·         Be prepared, asbestos abatement can be complex, timely and costly!  It can often take a lot of man hours to complete the removal of asbestos properly and most importantly safely. 

Asbestos abatement should be carried out by professionals following government regulations and site specific requirements.  Moderate and high risk projects require air monitoring and precautions must be taken to protect workers and others nearby.  If you require further information about asbestos abatement contact Enviromarc at: info@enviromarc.com or (1) 780 533 3033.