Though asbestos roofs are mainly a thing of the past, fibres and debris can be unintentionally left behind after their removal, causing ongoing environmental and public health issues if they are not properly dealt with.
How can asbestos debris be eradicated?
In order to ensure that asbestos is no longer present on a site, it is necessary to conduct a process called soil remediation. Performed by experts such as //soilfix.co.uk/services/soil-remediation/, soil remediation consists of a carefully planned schedule of testing and extracting that eliminates all asbestos residue and allows the site to be safely used again in the future.
Is asbestos remediation the same as asbestos removal?
No. Asbestos removal is the process of removing asbestos products, such as roofs, from a site. They will be sealed and removed intact to try to prevent debris from being left behind, though this cannot always be guaranteed.
Asbestos remediation removes the debris that is left behind, typically embedded within the soil or in hidden areas within the site. The process of remediation is what confirms the site is safe to use going forward.
Why asbestos should be removed by professionals
Inhaling asbestos particles causes long-term health problems and asbestos in the soil is highly polluting to wildlife and the ecosystem. To avoid inadvertently exacerbating the presence of asbestos in the soil and to comply with legal and environmental responsibilities, a trained and properly equipped professional with appropriate PPE should be contracted to inspect, test and remove asbestos debris, delivering long-term peace of mind and protecting the site users from harm.
Asbestos inside the home during renovation
Asbestos is not only a problem on old industrial sites. It often turns up in houses when people start renovating, and some homeowners are tempted to remove it themselves. That is risky.
Disturbing asbestos without the right methods releases fibres into the air. Breathing them in can cause shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing in the short term, and far more serious illness such as asbestosis later on. Any material containing asbestos must be sealed to stop it spreading and then taken to a site licensed to accept it, which professional contractors arrange as part of the job.
Doing it yourself is also rarely the cheaper option. The specialist protective equipment needed adds up quickly, and inexperienced removal takes much longer. Trained teams know how to remove asbestos safely and efficiently, so the home can be back in normal use sooner, without leaving fibres behind for the household to breathe.
Safety steps during asbestos removal
Asbestos was widely used in insulation, flooring and roofing in older homes and offices. As these materials deteriorate they release fibres that can be breathed in, causing serious long-term lung conditions including lung cancer. The first step is to record where asbestos is present in a building and identify the type. Friable asbestos crumbles into a powder when damaged or as it dries with age, while non-friable material is held together with a bonding agent.
Licensed removal firms prepare a control plan before any work begins, setting out how the job will be carried out safely and which measures will reduce the risks. Access to the area is restricted with barriers and no entry signs, so nobody wanders into the work zone.
All debris is sealed in airtight plastic before disposal to prevent further contamination, and every worker should wear suitable respiratory protective equipment. This is not a job to attempt yourself. The cost of hiring specialists is small compared with the long-term health problems that exposure can cause.