DIY Home Diva » Repair & Maintenance

Disposal Of Asbestos

Andrea — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:46:41 +0000

There are some countries that do not own landfills specifically destined for asbestos waste. If this is the case in your city or country, friable asbestos waste can be disposed at sites where industries waste is thrown.

There are many regulations controlling asbestos disposal and one of the requirements is to label the containers to identify the material. Information about the volumes, composition and location of asbestos waste must be recorded.

The personnel involved in the gathering, transportation and disposal of asbestos waste are exposed to the risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. To prevent this, it is vital to provide the people in charge of doing the job with the proper protective equipment, such special clothing and respiratory gear. The asbestos materials that will be disposed have to be wetted. The vehicles transporting the asbestos must be marked with a sign informing about the hazardous waste. The waste must be deposited in authorized site that is suitable and available for that purpose.

Friable and Non-friable Asbestos

There is a difference between friable and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is in the form of powder or can become powder with a slight pressure. And non-friable asbestos is material that cannot be reduced to powder because it is harder. Non-friable material is in some places are not consider hazardous. Consequently, the procedures of disposal of both kinds differ greatly.

In conclusion, friable asbestos waste should be dealt with carefully to ensure that there are no leakages while it is being transported. Once the waste is deposited in the landfill there are no risks with regard to water contamination.

Managing Asbestos In Schools And Workplaces

Andrea — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:53:55 +0000

Asbestos is a special kind of material that was used in building construction and other industries up to the 1980s. At that time, this material was found to be the cause of many health problems suffered by people working in asbestos mines and in the production of asbestos-containing products.

In spite of this, the Western Australian Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances carried out research and reached to the conclusion that the hazardous effects of asbestos are due to human negligence. Evidence shows that if the asbestos is left untouched, it does not pose any risk to health. It is not necessary to remove asbestos materials to prevent health problems.

There are many schools and workplaces that have been built at the time when asbestos was very popular. Contrary to what has been said, there are some occasions when asbestos material needs to be disturbed. For example, if the material is not in good condition due to weather conditions, or if there are modifications in the buildings, asbestos should be removed.

Removal Of Asbestos Material

There are some procedures to follow when removal of asbestos material is pursued.

The asbestos removal must be directed by Contract Management Services and performed in agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations. Before asbestos removal works starts, meetings must be held between the project manager, school directives and stakeholders.

Removal tasks must not be performed while students and employees are at the school. Prior to the return of employees and students to school supervision of the work must be carried out.

How To Be Careful at Home with Asbestos

Andrea — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:16:24 +0000

Surely you already know what the asbestos is, but just in case let us remind you some important points. The asbestos are a type of mineral fibers that used to be utilized in some products in order to make them more resistant to cold and hot temperatures. Nowadays it is known that this material releases particles produce lung cancer when they are inhaled and it is forbidden.

Where Asbestos Can Be Found?

Once you know this, another thing you have to know is that the asbestos is not just in factories but also in your home. The fibers of asbestos are in some roofs and tiles built up with asbestos cement. They also can be found in paintings and substances to cover holes in walls or ceilings. Some old hot water pipes might be covered with asbestos too. Ask a professional to take a look to your house in order to know if you and your family are in risk.

But asbestos can also be in smaller things that are closer to you. For example, chemical cleaning products like detergents, lubricators, disinfectants, etc. These products are part of your life and you can find hundreds of them in every home.

One of the most important things we can do is just follow the use instructions. If we do it, most of these products are inoffensive to us and to the environment. Besides, buy just the necessary, not else; keep the product in its original package and never through liquids into the trash can. Using, keeping and eliminating them well, will keep you safe.

How To Remove Asbestos Floor Tiles

Andrea — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:34:46 +0000

Since the discovery of the deadly effects asbestos has on health, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has created regulations to control the management, removal and disposal of asbestos material. One of the materials containing asbestos is vinyl floor tile (VAT). To handle them safely it is important to ensure that the material is in non-friable state. If the material is friable, the asbestos fibers can be freed when smashed. Generally, VAT is regarded as non-friable if it is not damaged.

Tips On Removing Asbestos Floor Tiles

When removing asbestos floor tiles, some problems might arise that can be potentially hazardous. Some of the difficulties that you will have to tackle are breathing through respirator which demands a greater effort from the heart and lungs. The vision is reduced because of the use of safety glasses.

The removal of VAT has to be done in whole pieces in order to be regarded as non-friable. It vital that in the process of abatement the tiles are not sawed, drilled or reduced to dust.

Before starting the work, it is important to isolate other materials with a plastic cover to avoid the fibers to move. Place a different sheet of plastic in the area where the tiles are to be kept.

The material that is being removed should be wet with a hose or any other tool to prevent them from becoming airborne. The tiles removed should be kept as intact pieces.

The tiles should be put in leak proof containers such as plastic bags and the sign “DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS” must be placed on the container.

Should You Remove Asbestos Shingles At Home?

Andrea — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:49:41 +0000

The use of asbestos in homes and buildings started in the 1930s when asbestos was used extensively because of its fireproofing qualities. In addition to this, asbestos is resistant and it was used to give strength to siding materials. Then, in the 1970s, its use was prohibited because many deadly diseases were associated with it.

The existence of asbestos at home does not imply that there is risk of developing any of the diseases related to it. But the problem is that asbestos or the material containing it can be damaged or altered in a way that the fibers could be released and become airborne. When the fibers are freed, they pose a terrible hazard to health they can enter the organism by inhaling or ingesting them.

Nowadays, there are many laws and regulations that control the removal and disposal of asbestos.

The first step is to analyze the condition of the shingles at home. If they are in good condition, it is preferable to leave them alone. Because touching or altering asbestos material could cause great damage.

If the material is in good condition, fibers will not be released unless it is saw, drill or cut. So do not disturb material that is unspoiled. On the contrary, if the material is not in good state there are two options to solve the problem, one is to remove and the other is to repair it. The process of repairing the material includes sealing (encapsulation) or covering (enclosure) the asbestos.

Asbestos And The Health Risks

Andrea — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:17:33 +0000

The name asbestos refers to a natural mineral that was used in construction and in many home items in the past. This material possesses heat-resistant qualities that made it useful for construction where it was employed as fire proofing and weather resistant material. Some years ago it was discovered that asbestos has serious health consequences and its use was prohibited. The main problem appears when the material is damaged, when it is cut and when the material is to be disposed of.

Three Types Of Asbestos

There are three varieties of asbestos: white, brown and blue. This material appears in the form of hairs or fibers and their characteristics differ according to the type of asbestos.

Blue and brown asbestos were prohibited in 1986 and the use of white asbestos was reduced in the same year. Nevertheless, all the types of asbestos are still present in home and work places.

How Asbestos Poses Health Risks

When talking about the risks asbestos poses to health, it is important to highlight that the danger arises when the fibers becomes airborne and thus they can be easily ingested or inhaled. But not all fibers represent a hazard. Long fibers and small ones are generally eliminated when coughing or breathing. They do not stay in the lungs.

On the contrary, there are fibers of certain size or that belong to a particular type of asbestos that insert in the lungs and are responsible for the development of mesothelioma or other asbestos related diseases.

Asbestos-related diseases typically do not turn out to be manifest until at least ten years or more after contact. Some of the symptoms can be coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Doctors must pay attention to this if they are persistent.

In conclusion, all type of asbestos have to be managed with care and in all cases the necessary protective measures should be taken.

Understand The Definitions Of Asbestos Terminology

Andrea — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:09:51 +0000

Many things have been said about asbestos, but also many times we do not know nor understand the definitions of some terminology related to it. For that reason we have gather some of the most common words used when we speak about asbestos.

The Definitions Of Asbestos Terminology

Abatement: This is method that has been accepted with the intention of handle materials that contain asbestos (i.e., enclosure, removal, and encapsulation).

Asbestos Building Survey: By this survey, it is possible to recognize, estimate and measure the ACM in a certain location (i.e. building, factory).

Asbestos Encapsulation: This means the act of cover a material that contains asbestos. This can be done whether by penetrating an encapsulating agent or by covering the contaminated object with a material impregnated with an agent which was previously latex encapsulated.

Asbestos Enclosure: When we talk about asbestos enclosure we are making reference to the act of physically enclosure those materials contaminated with asbestos right on the place where this material was found. The enclosure is made by placing a hard permanent barrier. One thing to be considered to be enclosed in case that the walls are not pulled down, are the insulates straight up heating risers that are located at the back of outside perimeter walls.

Asbestos Containing Material: (by NYCDEP) A material is considered asbestos containing when it contains 1% o greater asbestos according to laboratory tests.

Asbestos Removal Project: This means the objective elimination of materials contaminated with asbestos. Just a certified service provider who employs skilled and authorized personnel who follows the applicable regulations, can do this.

How To Get Rid Of Stains On Your Household Items

Andrea — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:49:49 +0000

Be it economy is flourishing or fading, trashing away your household items just because you couldn’t get rid of some stains on them is never a prudent idea. Not only you aren’t stretching your dollar to its fullest, you are an environmental hazard—no pun intended.

Whether you are getting rid of red wine or burn stains out of your sofa or cookware, here are some useful tips:

Refrigerator: Stains on the fridge door can be removed by applying a coat of toothpaste over it. Toothpaste is a polishing agent that is non-abrasive, hence avoiding scratches on the fridge door.

Sofa: When you spill red wine on your sofa, first pour some white wine over it and then use a towel to soak up the residue. Next, sprinkle some talcum powder on the spill. You can also use eye makeup remover in place of white wine.

Bathtub and Sink: Rust stains on the bathtub and sink can be removed by pouring Coke on the stain. A gas reaction will follow and the rust stain will disappear. The same stains can also be removed with a toothbrush and toothpaste with some baking soda. In place of Coke, vinegar and lime juice will also do the job just fine.

Cookware: Instead of scrubbing away at burn stains in the cooking pot and pan, boil some apple peel and tomato skin in the pot. The stains will go away after some soaking.

Bed Sheet: To remove ink spots on your bed sheets or shirt, squeeze a lemon over it, and rub some salt on the stain.

What Is Asbestos?

Andrea — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:08:07 +0000

Asbestos is a term used to refer to a natural mineral that was largely used in the past as a building material due to its heat-resistance properties. There are different kinds of asbestos and the most common is the serpentine group which consists of chrysotile, also known as white asbestos. The other type of asbestos is the amphiboles group which comprises crocidolite, also called blue asbestos and amosite, known as brown asbestos.

Asbestos And Health Issues

Many years passed before asbestos was discovered to be the cause of some serious and deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The risk posed by asbestos materials cannot be denied but it is important to highlight that asbestos become hazardous when the fibers develop into airborne and, thus, are likely to be inhaled or ingested. Consequently, asbestos materials are not a menace if they are in good condition.

Apart from the industrial uses of asbestos, this material has been widely used in house building and other appliances which now can pose a hazard to people living there or handling those devices. The reason for asbestos extensive use was the material ability to tolerate high temperatures. This material offered protection against cold, fire, noise, dust, corrosion, etc.

Health consequences associated with asbestos material were not discovered but after the damage was done. Asbestos-related diseases have a latency period of more than 40 years, in most cases, and this is the reason why the risks were known after asbestos material had been widely used.

DIY Home Diva » Repair & Maintenance

Disposal Of Asbestos

Friable and Non-friable Asbestos

Related Topics

Managing Asbestos In Schools And Workplaces

Removal Of Asbestos Material

Related Topics

How To Be Careful at Home with Asbestos

Where Asbestos Can Be Found?

Related Topics

How To Remove Asbestos Floor Tiles

Tips On Removing Asbestos Floor Tiles

Related Topics

Should You Remove Asbestos Shingles At Home?

Related Topics

Asbestos And The Health Risks

Three Types Of Asbestos

How Asbestos Poses Health Risks

Related Topics

Understand The Definitions Of Asbestos Terminology

The Definitions Of Asbestos Terminology

Related Topics

How To Get Rid Of Stains On Your Household Items

Related Topics

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos And Health Issues

Related Topics