Asbestos was used as a building material for many years in all kinds of products. Up until the early eighties, it was very common to find asbestos used in things like ceiling tiles, pipework, paint, window putty and much more. However, the government soon realised the associated health risks and in 1999 the material was outlawed.
But if you are renovating a property that was built before this, there is a chance that some of the building materials could contain asbestos. It is not safe to attempt removal unless you know what you are doing but the need to get rid of the asbestos remains. So where and how should asbestos be disposed of?
Asbestos should be disposed of in an approved landfill site. These sites are permitted to take asbestos although there may be some non-hazardous waste sites that accept asbestos as long as it is self contained.
But a lot more goes into the removal and disposal of asbestos and it’s important to familiarise yourself with the process if you’re going to be dealing with this material.
Why Is Asbestos So Dangerous?
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral and features heat resistant fibres which makes it an excellent insulator and building material. However, these same fibres also make it very toxic and the material poses a serious risk to your health.
The primary concern for those who have been exposed to asbestos is that it can cause a very specific type of cancer known as mesothelioma which affects the lungs and heart. This really only happens when you have been repeatedly exposed to the fibres but even small levels of exposure can cause unpleasant symptoms. These include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and swelling, particularly in the fingertips.
The Process of Asbestos Removal
There are several ways that you can get rid of asbestos but there are some that are preferable to others and certainly would be considered safer.
It’s important to keep in mind that the level of asbestos contained in a product will determine whether or not it is classed as hazardous waste. However, this level is very low and the UK government states that any product containing more than 0.01% of asbestos comes into the hazardous category and should be disposed of accordingly.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can discard asbestos containing products safely.
Hire A Professional
The best way to handle asbestos removal is to hire a company that specialises in this. It’s important to take the time to research your chosen company and make sure that they have the relevant licences to remove asbestos. The one you want to look out for is the Hazardous Waste Carriers Licence. Moreover, the best companies will be registered with the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association. Using companies like this will give you the peace of mind that the job will be handled as safely as possible.
You should, however, keep in mind that these services don’t come cheap. That said, they’re usually the quickest way to get the job done so it’s sometimes worth the investment.
Take It To The Tip
You could take the asbestos to your local tip yourself. Quite clearly this is the cheapest way as the only cost to you will be any fuel you use to get there. However, it’s also the least safe way as you’ll have to handle the material yourself.
Also remember that not all tips will allow you to bring asbestos so it’s worth contacting them beforehand. You may also find that, even if the tip does accept asbestos, you are limited as to how much you can dispose of.
Use A Local Council Service
Many councils across the UK offer an asbestos removal service which a lot of homeowners prefer owing to the much lower cost when compared to hiring a private company. The downside is that you normally have to wait longer for collection and if you’re in a hurry, this isn’t always an option. Moreover, most councils will have a limit on how much asbestos they will collect so before booking a slot for collection, it’s worth speaking to them to find out if using the service will meet your needs.
How To Remove Asbestos Safely
If you are working on a property and discover asbestos then the most preferable option is to hire someone to take care of the problem for you. However, we know that this isn’t always possible so if you are going to deal with it yourself, you must make sure that you are extremely careful.
Keep in mind that rented properties are the responsibility of the landlord. If you should find asbestos then you must contact them.
Protective clothing such as gloves and eye goggles are a must. You should also consider wearing a dust mask to limit the number of fibres you breathe in. The good news is that asbestos only really causes a problem when it is damaged so provided you can keep it intact, you shouldn’t have too many issues.
The risks associated with broken asbestos can be minimised by spraying water onto it. This will limit the number of dust particles that come away from it.
Recent Article: How Do You Know If You Have Asbestos
Conclusion
Asbestos is a highly dangerous material that surprisingly has been used in a plethora of building materials. While it is now illegal to use, much remains in older properties and it’s essential to make sure you dispose of it correctly.
You can take asbestos to your local tip or have the council collect it from your home. However, there may be limits on this so it isn’t always suitable for larger jobs. For bigger loads of asbestos, you may need to hire a private company. But this is usually more expensive but you do get a quicker and more complete service.
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