Could you name at least one naturally-occurring mineral that’s been used in construction and the development of various materials for centuries? Well, if you say iron, steel, and cement, you are correct too. But, have you heard of a mineral called asbestos? According to experts, asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous silicate mineral that’s been used as far as the Stone Age to make pots and other materials. However, it’s been deemed as a very dangerous material, because asbestos fibers can damage the lungs. Read on to learn how to find an asbestos removal Dandenong South contractor, especially if you suspect that your home or building is rife with asbestos materials.
The Dangers of Asbestos
According to health experts, there are 6 types of asbestos, all of which are made up of long, thin fibrous crystals, with each fiber made up of many microscopic fibrils which can easily be released into the atmosphere by abrasion.
Once an individual inhales these tiny, microscopic asbestos fibrils, they can lead to a lot of dangerous, life-threatening lung conditions like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Thus, now you know why asbestos is notorious as a major health and safety hazard.
The widespread use of asbestos in construction and fire-proofing (especially in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s) has been noted to have led to a rise in the number of people dying each year from asbestos-exposure-related diseases.
It’s been estimated that 100,000 or more people die from asbestos exposure because many older buildings and homes contain lots of asbestos. The consequences of asbestos exposure can also take decades to arise. So, if you suspect that your home or building is filled with a lot of asbestos materials, it would be wise to immediately contact a reputable asbestos removal Dandenong South company or contractor.
Tips for Hiring an Asbestos Abatement Company
If you suspect that your building, or home, is rife with old and potentially deadly asbestos materials, then hiring an asbestos removal Dandenong South company, and not doing it by yourself, is the best thing to do.
When it comes to removing any kind of asbestos material from any residential, commercial or public building, a reputable and experienced asbestos removal Dandenong South company will first do a proper test for the toxic material, and strictly follow industry and government regulations and processes. They will also bring the right asbestos removal tools and equipment, which is necessary to keep them (and others) safe from asbestos fiber exposure.
Although asbestos isn’t totally banned in countries like the United States (I think Russia stills produces asbestos on a massive level), its use is however limited today. In general,
asbestos removal in Dandenong South involves the identification, removal, and repair, as well as encapsulation of materials or products in a house or building to fully eliminate the threat of exposure to toxic asbestos fibers.
However, when searching for asbestos removal from Dandenong South contractors, remember that not all companies are the same. For example, some contractors specialize only in asbestos removal or abatement, while others offer more specialized services like demolition, environmental consultancy, and related service.
Now, before hiring an asbestos removal Dandenong South company, you’ll first need to verify its qualifications. Like, what type of asbestos abatement work do they perform? According to the experts, there are different classes of asbestos abatement work.
Class, I asbestos work includes the removal of asbestos used to prevent heat loss or gain and the surfacing of asbestos-containing materials that are suspected o contain asbestos. Class II asbestos work involves the removal of non-thermal asbestos-containing materials like wallboards, floor tiles and sheeting, roofing and siding shingles, and construction mastics.
Class III asbestos work involves repair and maintenance operations of any asbestos-containing materials that will likely be disturbed. This is the type that’s mostly used for removing asbestos.
A reputable asbestos removal Dandenong South company will also have workers who are well-trained in pre-asbestos abatement activities, work area preparation, establishing decontamination units, using personal protection (like respirators and protective clothing), work decontamination procedures, safety considerations in the abatement area, and the proper handling and disposal of asbestos waste.
Asbestos abatement also generally starts with a certified asbestos inspector taking samples of suspected asbestos. The samples are then analyzed at a laboratory to effectively determine the extent of the problem.
And, asbestos removal in Dandenong South can also be quite complex, as it includes several site preparations. Among these include establishing the work area, disabling HVAC and electrical systems, and installing new electrical systems to power negative air pressure units that avoid contamination of air outside the work area.
The other major tasks of asbestos removal in Dandenong South include the installation of decontamination enclosure systems, sealing all openings with plastic sheeting and duct tape, wet wiping or using a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter on non-movable objects to keep asbestos from becoming airborne.
In addition, asbestos removal in Dandenong South also includes sealing immobile items with plastic sheeting and duct tape, covering the surface that’s not getting abated with plastic sheeting, and posting warning signs which read Danger, Asbestos, Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard, Authorized Personnel Only, Respirators and Protective Clothing Are Required in This Area.
Asbestos disposal also requires all the waste to be effectively sealed in leak-tight containers while still wet and then labeled clearly and taken to qualified landfills which have specific rules and requirements for securing the waste, and for preventing the fibers from escaping into the air.
The vehicles that will transport the asbestos waste to the landfill should also meet specific requirements and labeling instructions.
While everyone certainly knows that asbestos removal in Dandenong South can be very complicated, what’s promising is that this deadly material can now be recycled. When recycling asbestos, microwave thermal treatments or milling asbestos at high speed heats up the substance, and creates less hazardous, or even non-hazardous, materials like porcelain and glass.
So, despite all the challenges of asbestos removal in Dandenong South, what’s uplifting is that asbestos can safely be recycled, or disposed of by around 50% to 99.7%, depending on the product being recycled.
This potential reduction in volume will certainly be very beneficial for landfills (and the overall environment as well), and it also significantly reduces the costs of dumping asbestos because disposal pricing is based on volume.
