Asbestos removal, aka, asbestos abatement workers eradicate asbestos from buildings or houses that have shown traces of the offending material. There are plenty of reasons to get asbestos removed, number one being your health. When contracted, workers remove asbestos by making use of different tools such as scrapers and vacuums. Vacuums are usually equipped with a top notch filtering and trapping apparatus that assists with the proper storage and clearance of the material. Very similar to other types of hazardous material handlers, asbestos removal workers must have some sort of monitor that allows them to verify the amount of asbestos in the air.
How to Tell if It's Asbestos
It is unlikely for the average person to know if a product contains asbestos just by looking at it. The only way to be certain is to send a piece of the questionable material to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory has to be certified because only a specific kind of microscope can be utilized to analyze the sample and detect asbestos. You can contact the EPA at (202)554-1401 in order to request a list of certified labs; they will also provide instructions on how to carefully obtain the sample. In addition, you can contact an asbestos removal professional to come in and evaluate your building or house in order to determine if asbestos is present.
Getting the Right Contractor for Removal
Hiring a person that is not licensed or does not have the experience in successfully removing asbestos can bring dire health-related consequences. Since asbestos is dangerous once it becomes airborne, this means any lingering asbestos will be inhaled or ingested by the inhabitants of the house or building. It is highly recommended that for the sake of you and your family's health that you do some research prior to hiring a contractor. You can search the local yellow pages for a list of contractors and enhance your list by researching any reviews utilizing the internet. Many people turn to the Better Business Bureau in order to check if there are any pending claims or complaints against the contractor.
Safety While Removing Asbestos
After you have decided which contractor to hire they will be responsible for removing and handling the asbestos the safest way possible. Only the asbestos removers will be present in the area. It is highly important that they are able to control the asbestos and the surroundings. You, as their client, can make sure that they are prepared to handle the situation safely. They must be wearing their respirators along with protective garments including boots and gloves at all times during the area that is affected. They should seal off the area with plastic sheets in order to prevent the material from getting out to other parts of the building. When they proceed to remove the material they must place them in bags that are going to be sealed and later placed in containers for proper transportation and disposal. Hiring an experienced contractor is your best bet.