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How To Dispose Of Asbestos?

As a homeowner, you certainly wouldn’t like to the word “asbestos” and understandably so. Due to its extremely dangerous fibres, the material was banned in the UK since 1999 and any structure built with it will be heavily fined. However, if you’re presently doing some home improvement project or buying a property that was built before the year 2000, then a chance exists that the property could contain asbestos. So if you’re unlucky to discover asbestos in your property, getting rid of it can be quite simple if you know way around it. In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips on how to dispose of asbestos in your property. Let’s take a closer look!

✓ Careful Handling

If you happen to find asbestos in your property the best thing to do is to call in a reliable specialist who has the proper training and equipment to tackle the project. However, if you decide to handle it yourself, then it’s a must to do this with great care. For instance wearing safety gloves, dust mask, safety goggles and placement of asbestos into plastic bags would be a great idea.

✓ Take It To The Tip By Yourself

To save some money if you have access to a vehicle, then loading the bagged asbestos into your car and driving it to the nearest local tip would be a simple and cost effective alternative. However, you should check with your local authorities before attempting this.

✓ Use A Specialist

Hiring a professional asbestos removal contractor is simply the best way to dispose of asbestos. Their services may be a bit expensive, but they cover up for that in both speed and effectiveness.

✓ Use Your Council’s Asbestos Collection Service

Several councils off this services at a reduced cost. However, they are usually not as quick as a specialist contractor.

The deposits of asbestos are commonly found in both rocks and soil throughout the globe. Historically, this material has been incorporated for more than 4,500 years for a number of purposes by our ancestors. However, mining of asbestos in large scale started only in the 1870’s in Quebec, Canada. It only took about a decade after this commencement before other countries picked the trail and also began the production of asbestos for industrial uses as asbestos rapidly grew to become an ubiquitous phenomenon across many nations of the world such as the USA, Russia, Italy as well as South Africa.

Today, several countries have placed a total ban on the production as well as exportation of asbestos as a result of the harmful fibre it contains. Asbestos has been discovered to be a life threatening material which when disturbed, it releases a harmful fibre that can lead to a number of serious health issues if inhaled over a long period of time. Most recently in 2019, the material was popularly banned in Canada, who for several years has operated the world’s largest mine of asbestos in Quebec.

Despite how harmful the material is, it’s however still being mined in some countries with some of its exporters being Russia, Kazakhstan, China as well as Brazil, with Russia taking the lead, covering for over 53 percent of the world’s total production.

Contrary to many beliefs, asbestos is not a man made material but a group of six types of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are commonly found in rock and soil which are collectively known as asbestos. These minerals are primarily composed of both silicon and oxygen but also includes other minor elements.

Asbestos fibres are very small, so they’re not possible to identify with the naked eye. However, they’re common in particular materials of a certain age, so you can work out if there are any parts of a building that are likely to contain asbestos.

Start by checking the date that the material you suspect contains asbestos was installed. If it was in 2000 or after then you don’t need to worry, it definitely doesn’t contain asbestos. However, if it was fitted before 2000 it may contain asbestos, particularly if this was between 1940 and 1980.

Materials that used to commonly contain asbestos include ceiling tiles, guttering, soffits, fascia, external cladding and facades, vinyl flooring, artex, cement roofs and insulation.

How To Remove Asbestos

Asbestos are naturally occurring fibrous material that used to be incorporated into fabrics or mixed with cement for insulation purposes be it electrical or building. As it’s highly dangerous and life threatening if disturbed, the material has been in the UK since 1999, however there are some exceptions. If you happen to reside in a house that has been in existence prior to 1980, then there is a chance your house contains some asbestos. You may discover it in your home when carrying out some DIY tasks or renovation. And once you do, you should waste no time in having it removed as the longer you’re exposed to it, the more life threatening it becomes.

Removal of asbestos is a task you should never try to do by yourself as it becomes harmful when disturbed. In an event whereby you suspect something to be asbestos, do not touch but rather have it isolated and call in a specialist for help. So it’s therefore not recommended to attempt asbestos removal as a DIY project unless you’re are experienced in the techniques below:

✓ Before you get started, it’s crucial to wear the necessary protective gear. These include wearing a respirator, a disposable coverall, disposable rubber gloves, rubber boots as well as safety eye goggles. And ensure that you remove all protective gear clothing and gear before exiting the containment area.

✓ Remove the materials and place in asbestos waste disposal bags

✓ Ensure to remove the asbestos without breaking it up.

✓ Make use of double bag and seal all debris containing asbestos.

✓ Wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth

✓ Fold and roll the polyethylene sheeting on the floor and dispose them same way as the debris - double bag and seal.

✓ Clean all tools and equipments used.

✓ When done, ensure to wash face, hands and bathe thoroughly.

For some types of asbestos, you are not legally required to use a licensed contractor. However, it’s recommended that you always use one. These contractors will have all the relevant training and knowledge to make sure asbestos is removed safely. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the licensing body.

Asbestos refers to a group of minerals made up of tiny fibres. If you become exposed to these fibres and breathe them in, you’re at risk of contracting a dangerous lung-related disease.

Asbestos is strong and a good insulator, which means it was previously used to insulate and reinforce parts of buildings, like ceilings, roofs and guttering. Its use has been banned in the UK since 2000, but it is still present in lots of domestic and commercial buildings today.

Asbestos usually only poses a health risk if the material it’s contained in is damaged and its fibres are released into the air.

Is Asbestos Dangerous?

The short and simple answer to this question is yes, asbestos is absolutely dangerous. Exposure to asbestos fibres and dust can lead to cancer, lung disease and lots more. It’s known to be so dangerous that no level of exposure to asbestos is considered safe. It has been banned in the UK since 1999 but exposure is till rampant due to the exceptions to the ban and there’s a good chance that you’ll find it in several older buildings and homes. And despite the ban in most countries, asbestos related health issues are still on the rise across the globe. People that are mostly exposed to this risk are those who’re exposed on the job as well as those who simply like to take on projects around the house containing asbestos insulation by themselves.

Furthermore, there’s a need to observe safety precautions when working with asbestos. If not, you’ll be exposing both you and your family to long term health risks. Below are some of the things you need to know about the dangers of asbestos.

✓ Exposure to asbestos fibres has no safe level. So it’s best to avoid exposure at all costs.

✓ Breathing in asbestos dust can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

✓ If disturbed, asbestos can release dangerous particles of dust containing asbestos fibres.

✓ Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which mostly affects the lung’s lining. It has no cure.

✓ If you smoke, then the risk of inhaling asbestos is greatly increased.

✓ The number of fibres inhaled as well as the length of time that you’ve been exposed to it increases the risk of contracting asbestos related diseases.

✓ The symptoms of asbestos dust related diseases do not commonly come out until its about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure.

There are all different types of Asbestos. Some kinds of asbestos, if they are in good condition, may be left as they are or covered up. If there is any danger of the asbestos being damaged and particles entering the air, it should be removed. Once a survey has been completed you will be advised on what course of action to take.