Asbestos is a mineral that is made up of various heat resistant fibers and for many years it was a building material that was used in places where heat needed to be resisted. However, once it was discovered that the fibers in asbestos can get into human lungs and cause mesothelioma and various types of cancer, it was regulated in the U.S.
Many older buildings still contain some levels of asbestos, and these buildings are both residential and commercial. If you are exposed to asbestos, or find it in your home or place of work, then you need to know how to keep yourself safe around it and how best to remove the asbestos from the area.
How To Handle Asbestos
First, you need to find a professional to make sure that you are handling and removing the asbestos safely without causing the fibers to break off and float into the air where they could be inhaled into the body. Often the answer to solving an asbestos problem is to seal it up and leave the materials undisturbed because of the risk of the fibers getting into the air, but if you are allowed to remove the asbestos on your own, here’s what you need to do.
Protect Yourself
Everything you do for the removal of asbestos needs to be done with the utmost protection for yourself and those around you. Seal off the working area with plastic sheets, and turn on the air conditioning. Additionally, wear disposable coveralls, gloves, and a respirator with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Additionally, you should use a sprayer to keep the asbestos wet and to prevent any dust from forming, and clean the work area with a HEPA filtered vacuum and wet wipes.
Remove It Correctly And By The Book
Finally, make sure to remove asbestos waste as per the guidelines. Make sure that it remains fully wet and then double bag it in six millimeter plastic bags. Then put the bags into a plastic and leak proof container with a sealed lid and properly label it. After that, you need to take it to or contact a special landfill that is able to accept asbestos waste. Then make sure to dispose of all the contaminated clothing and equipment.
What Can I Do If I Am Exposed To Asbestos?
If you are exposed to asbestos and have suffered from cancer, mesothelioma, or other health issues, you do have a case that you can press in court. Especially if you got the asbestos early in your life from one of several locations during a specific time frame. There are various class action lawsuits available, and if you need legal help for asbestos exposure victims there are countless lawyers who are willing to take your case and get you the compensation that you deserve.
So don’t be afraid to reach out and get the help you need. There are a lot of treatment options available for you and your family, and you will get help for whatever ailment you have had to suffer with.
Don’t Work With Asbestos If You Are Even A Little Unsure
While you can DIY asbestos removal yourself, unless you really know what you are doing and have the confidence that you can fully succeed, you should focus on hiring professionals to remove it for you or evaluate the situation. That is the best way to keep your health, your family, and your home safe. Then you can get back to living a healthy life free from the long term consequences of asbestos.
Interesting Related Article: “Exploring the Nitty-Gritty of an Asbestos Injury Case“