If you live in a home that contains asbestos, these materials should be removed. This is especially true if the asbestos-containing materials and products have been handled or damaged. When this occurs, the asbestos fibers can get into the air and cause serious diseases like mesothelioma, lung disease, and asbestosis. Asbestos is most commonly found in homes constructed from the 1940s through the mid-1970s.
When you know there is an asbestos issue at your home, it’s essential to select the right asbestos company to handle the issue. We’ll share the steps you should take to do so.
Why Removing Asbestos Is Essential
When products and materials that contain asbestos aren’t removed from the home properly, it can be hazardous to the health of anyone who contacts the asbestos materials, fibers, or dust. Ingesting or inhaling these items can cause asbestos lung cancer, pleural plaques, asbestosis, or mesothelioma.
Each year, around 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma. In addition, around ten thousand will die from a disease related to asbestos. The fibers that come from asbestos and enter the human body are only 0.01 microns thick, which is over 15,000 times thinner than human hair.
Things to Consider When Hiring an Asbestos Removal Company
Not every company that offers asbestos services will be the same. Some offer removal services, others provide demolition, and others may provide environmental services in addition to removing the asbestos itself. In addition, the regulation for asbestos removal will vary based on state (and sometimes city). However, there are also federal regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
While it isn’t a legal requirement for a homeowner to use a professional asbestos removal company, it is highly recommended. Before you decide to hire a company for your project, make sure to check their qualifications. Be sure they offer the services that meet your needs.
Workers who are around asbestos should be trained in various things. These include:
- Establishing decontamination units
- Pre-asbestos abatement activities
- Property handling and disposal of asbestos waste
- Safety considerations in abatement areas
- Using personal protective equipment
- Work area preparation
- Worker decontamination procedures
Common Equipment Used During Asbestos Removal
When asbestos professionals visit your home to remove hazardous materials, they will often have several safety tools with them. This may include rubber boots, disposable coveralls, disposable gloves, eyewear, respirators, and a HEPA vacuum.
RidAway for Professional Asbestos Removal Services
Asbestos is dangerous and can cause major health issues so it’s important to remove it from your home. This isn’t something that should be done on your own, as you may be exposed to the asbestos fibers that go into your lungs and make you sick. Instead, choose a company that will inspect and remove the asbestos professionally.
At RidAway, we offer professional asbestos services for your home. You can reach out to us today to learn more about the process. We’ll make sure your home is safe for you and everyone else in your home.
