How Does Asbestos Abatement Work?

Asbestos was a popular insulation product between the early 1940s and the 1970s. It was subsequently banned from use in the United States in August of 1989 because it can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it. However, there are still properties that have asbestos in them because of the time that they were built or had been remodeled.

If your property has asbestos in it, you will need to get it safely removed by a licensed asbestos removal company. The asbestos abatement process, as it is formally called, is a comprehensive process. It begins with the sealing off of any part of a property that contains asbestos. This is to prevent contamination of other areas of the property or the outside environment. Methods used to seal off areas include the use of polyethylene film, duct tape, and negative air pressure machines with HEPA filters. It is important to note that occupants are not allowed to enter the property during the removal process. A special vacuum cleaner is then used to remove asbestos and clean up afterward. Ordinary vacuums are not approved for asbestos removal and should never be used to do so because they will spread the asbestos around instead of containing it. After the asbestos has been removed and cleanup is complete, the asbestos abatement process is officially done.