It can be difficult to truly understand how harmful asbestos can be. To avoid the dangers of asbestos there are some things you can do to limit your exposure:
- Identify Potential Asbestos Containing Materials
- Safe Handling and Removal of Asbestos
- Find Alternatives to Asbestos Containing Materials
Identifying Asbestos Products
Identifying materials that may contain asbestos must be confirmed by the manufacturer or by lab analysis. Here at MCE, we are professionally trained to identify the materials that may contain asbestos and are properly trained and certified on how to safely collect samples to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos.
Some products may be ‘safe’ to remain in place if the material is in good condition and is not at risk of being disturbed. The potential for exposure happens when fibers become air born from being disturbed during renovation and demolition activities. Exposure can also happen when materials are damaged due to breakdown or friction and when the materials are exposed to wear and tear and/or a natural disaster.
Not all asbestos products are banned and some are still being sold and used in the United States.
Safe Handling and Removal of Asbestos
You should never touch or try to remove and dispose of asbestos materials on your own. Asbestos professionals are trained to identify, handle and properly dispose of this material.
Prior to completing renovations or demolition, an asbestos inspection is required unless you presume all the materials are asbestos-containing and it is disposed of as such. The EPA and States have inspection and removal requirements that require specialized training and licensing.
When removing asbestos, it cannot be disposed of as household waste. Asbestos waste has specific packaging, labelling, and transportation requirements to permitted landfills that accept asbestos-containing waste.
Contact Mill Creek Environmental today at 706-579-1607 if you’re concerned about potential asbestos-containing materials in your residential or commercial property!
