According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 600 million tons of debris is produced from construction and demolition projects in the US. Many of these projects will deal with ACBMs, or asbestos-containing building materials. To protect yourself and the surrounding area, you need to hire a professional construction waste disposal service to conduct asbestos abatement on projects ranging from renovations to large-scale commercial sites.

What's Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has strong fibers that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Due to its durable nature, asbestos has been used in building insulation, pipe insulation, fireproofing, roof shingles, plasters, caulks, paints, tiles, and more. Vermiculite products are known for containing high levels of asbestos. As the substances that hold the asbestos together begin to deteriorate, the asbestos can be released into the air.

Asbestos, while a great insulating product, is very harmful to humans if they breathe it in. A fiber of asbestos is thinner than a human hair, so it's difficult to see them in the air. Exposure to high levels of asbestos can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. If the material that contains asbestos is in good condition, then you're not in any danger. It's only when it begins to deteriorate that you need to call a professional asbestos abatement service.

What is Asbestos Abatement?

Asbestos abatement involves a few different methods to figure out if your home has high levels of asbestos, what condition it's in, and whether or not you need it disposed of. Not every construction waste disposal company can take care of asbestos abatement. You need properly licensed contractors who can inspect, test, remove, and dispose of ACBMs. States and counties will have specific laws concerning the removal and disposal of asbestos, so it's important to find a knowledgeable crew, like the experts at AAA Carting.

What to Expect

What happens after you find and hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor? Here's what to expect:

• Planning - Work with the contractor to understand the game plan, in and out. The final plan will detail the preparation required for removal, including the demarcation of certain parts of the home. The plan will also outline the cleanup process and disposal, citing the various laws that you and the contractor need to adhere to during the process.

• Preparing - There is a lot of preparation in the asbestos abatement process. The demarcated zones of the house will be totally sealed off to prevent any material from escaping. Air ducts will be closed, and the heating and cooling will be turned off. Any rooms that aren't accessing the asbestos should be sealed off with plastic sheets. A final inspection will be done to make sure everything is properly sealed before the removal starts.

• Removal - The removal process requires a lot of safety equipment, too. Any contractors working in the demarcated zones will wear protective equipment to prevent inhalation of the harmful material and transportation of loose fibers with them to other areas of the house. There will be a decontamination unit next to the demarcated zones outfitted with showers that workers and waste will travel through. The water makes sure that the loose fibers don't travel anywhere outside of the work zone. Wet methods and specialized vacuums will be used to remove the asbestos.

• Cleaning - Once all of the ACBM is removed, the site will be cleaned with specialized vacuums. The plastic seals will be removed, along with any other cleanup equipment. The construction waste disposal contractors and local authorities will conduct a final inspection to give you the new results of your asbestos-free home.

It's an involved and costly process, but well worth it to keep you and the surrounding environment safe from asbestos-related problems. If you live in a home that was built prior to the 1980s or are planning a renovation or demolition of an older building, it may be a good idea to contact a licensed construction waste disposal contractor.

AAA Carting can provide thorough and compliant asbestos abatement services. We also provide disposal of construction waste and dumpster rental services to communities in Westchester, NY. We offer same-day services, free estimates, and our work is backed by over 30 years of experience. Visit our website or call us today for more information.