Asbestos removal is usually part of the routine maintenance and cleaning activities carried out by many construction companies. In fact, a number of building codes across the country already require some form of asbestos abatement as a condition of obtaining a building permit. Essentially, this means that asbestos must be removed from the building in a careful and controlled manner so as not to put anyone at risk.
This is especially true with materials that contain asbestos fibers, such as ceiling tiles, wall insulation, and flooring. When asbestos fibers are allowed to freely circulate in the air, they can become airborne and then become airborne again once they come into contact with another airborne object.
In building, asbestos removal is a comprehensive set of methods designed to effectively control the airborne release of asbestos fibres from asbestos-containing material. It also involves careful monitoring of the area’s ambient environment, and periodic tests of the air quality of the workplace to make sure asbestos concentrations are not increased despite regulations intended to keep them out of the air.
For some materials, asbestos removal may mean simply disposing of materials that contain asbestos. For other materials, such as ceiling tiles and wall insulation, asbestos removal may involve encapsulation – putting together small amounts of asbestos fibre particles and compacting them in a way that makes it impossible for them to become airborne again. If encapsulation fails, the only option available is to demolish the contaminated area and rebuild it from scratch.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation. If you have been exposed to asbestos fibers in the workplace, contact an asbestos removal contractor right away to discuss your options. A qualified contractor will be able to determine whether you qualify for compensation under your state’s law or if you need a more comprehensive analysis to determine just how much compensation you may be entitled to.