Think globally, start locally. Paying attention to federal regulations is crucial and sometimes difficult, but there are federal resources that should help the process. Most states and some counties have extensive resources through their agencies that regulate asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The best place to begin is the local building department. They can explain what their code contains as well as what is needed to get a building permit. They may also be able to provide referrals to professionals who know the regulations and can help with the procedures.

Consider hiring an asbestos inspector to assess the situation and oversee the work of all the contractors. These inspectors can take samples to verify whether the suspicious materials really do contain asbestos and can even test the air for dangerous levels of loose asbestos fibers. A number of states require a professional asbestos inspection, whether or not you think asbestos present, before beginning any demolition project. If asbestos is found and will be disturbed during any renovation or repair work, it must be removed properly and disposed of at an approved facility.

Find the local and state regulations for training and licensing of abatement contractors and (check out several and get competitive bids) document how they meet these requirements. Ask for past clients and check these references. Check with local air-pollution and worker-safety authorities, along with the Better Business Bureau. An easy first check is to see whether the contractor mentions wetting the asbestos-containing material to minimize dispersal of fibers into the air. Although private homes are not generally covered by the legal definitions of procedures for treating public buildings, a private contractor should document that the same methods required by law for public buildings will be used for any residential job.

One area where the law makes no differentiation between abatement in public and private buildings is in methods for disposing of asbestos-containing debris. Do not be embarrassed to ask every contractor in consideration to demonstrate knowledge of what the requirements are and how to meet them. Ask for a written work plan, extending through cleanup and specifying the applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including permits and notification, that will be met at each stage and how they will be met. Double-check these regulations yourself. At the end of the job, get certification from the contractor that all requirements have been met.

Ordinary roofing, flooring, and plumbing contractors may deal with asbestos only incidentally and therefore may not be required to have as thorough training and experience. If asbestos-containing materials are in the areas where they will be working, make sure they know how to handle ACMs. Materials such as paper "felts" are used as underlayment for roofs and floors and are not regulated while they lie undisturbed. The normal methods for ripping up these materials will turn asbestos-containing felts into friable, regulated hazards.

The dangers likely to be raised depends on the asbestos-containing material being dealt with, how friable it is, and how much disturbance will take place. Power tools always raise more dust than hand tools, but there are times when power tools cannot be avoided, such as when dealing with naturally occurring asbestos in rock, or demolishing similarly hard materials such as cement. In these cases, having a system (like those used for specialized firefighting) that puts out a constant spray of water to match the dust released is valuable. The professionals who operate these systems can control the spray so that it steadily captures the microscopic fibers from the air.

Any work area where ACM is being disturbed should be isolated from the rest of the house by shutting down ventilation systems (by sealing them, not just closing vents) and lining windows and doors with plastic sheeting and duct tape. Ventilating the area will still be necessary and the best way is a negative-pressure system that takes air out through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to capture any escaping asbestos fibers.

Workers should never come out of that area and into the rest of the home without stripping off all exposed clothing. A great way to minimize contamination of other areas is to have at least three people to accomplish the job (two working inside with full protection, and one standing just outside the door to hand in tools, additional water, or other supplies if they are needed. Even this "gofer" should avoid venturing into the rest of the house and should wear protective gear.

Material should be removed in large pieces and placed immediately in well-labeled disposal bags. Asbestos-containing waste needs to be removed as quickly as possible from the containment area and work site rather than allowing it to build up. A bag of toxic waste has a greater chance to rupture and spill the longer it sits around.

Always begin working at the opposite side of the area from the air-exhaust system and proceed to the area by the fan, so that any fibers in the air are pulled into the relatively dirty part of the room rather than re-contaminating an area that is relatively clean. After the bulk of asbestos has been scraped or cut off, the pipe, wood, or wallboard underneath should be thoroughly wiped down with clean wet rags and dropped into the disposal bag. The rags cannot be rinsed and reused.

When all the areas that were formerly covered with asbestos-containing material are cleaned, wet rags must be used to wipe down every exposed surface, even the plastic sheeting that may have been set up to protect walls and floors. Throughout the work, any sheeting on the floors and walls should be kept damp. This prevents asbestos fibers that have landed on them from drying and floating into the air. Any asbestos landing on the floor could be tracked into other areas of the house and any in the air could fly out. The area where asbestos used to be should also be sealed before considering the job finished because there are certainly some asbestos fibers remaining (unless the surface is very hard, such as high-gloss paint or metal). Whatever the surface, never sand or scrape it.

If the area concerned about is the floor, get it tested (all the way to the bare underlayment) before prying up tiles. Breaking an asbestos-containing tile causes friable asbestos to rise. Even borrowing a few tiles from inside a closet to replace elsewhere could loosen mastic that contains asbestos.

Each bag containing asbestos waste (and they need to be sturdier than ordinary trash bags; the professionals use transparent ones) needs to be closed securely. This can be done by twisting the neck several times, then folding it over and duct-taping all of its edges to the side of the bag (and do not use this folded neck as a handle -you could pull it loose). Each bag then goes into another bag that is sealed with the same "goose neck."

All tools and ladders used in the abatement project must be thoroughly wiped down with clean, wet rags before they can leave the containment area. Even once they are outside, it's a good idea to thoroughly hose them down, at least once, and leave them outside for some time.

What Preparation is Required for Asbestos-Abatement?

First, have a professional asbestos inspector verify that asbestos-containing materials are present. This requires taking samples to a federally certified laboratory for evaluation. The next step, as actual removal begins, is to isolate the area where the work will be done. If it is a room, seal it off from the rest of the house with plastic sheeting. The final preparation for the ACM itself is to wet it (in a way that is designed for the material at hand, to account for both its friability and its absorbency) to minimize the generation of dust that sets asbestos fibers free into the air. This may have to be done in sections, and each section may require several sprayings of water, with enough time between each spray to let the moisture soak in.

How Do I Hire an Asbestos-Abatement Company?

Hire an asbestos contractor by getting multiple bids, checking references, and comparing what they promise to do. Also ask them to demonstrate how they meet and perhaps go beyond local, state, and federal regulations for handling this hazardous material. Try attaining a list of contractors by contacting the agency that regulates asbestos in the state. Ask each contractor to verify actual licensing of the company and perhaps of individual workers. Make sure they describe what equipment and procedures will be used to protect your family, the workers, and the community from the release of asbestos fibers into the air. The description of procedures should begin at prepping the site (and wetting the asbestos-containing material) and close with the disposal of debris. If an asbestos inspector is hired, make sure the inspector is of a completely seperate business from the abatement contractor.

Who Does Asbestos-Abatement?

The authorities that license abatement contractors, and must certify proper completion of their work, are your best sources for referrals. Check with the state or county agency that oversees asbestos handling, or the local building department. A number of the states' asbestos websites include databases or lists of contractors, though the amount of information provided in these lists varies widely. Always check a contractor's license, even if they were found off a state list. If discrepancies are found, report them to the state.

Should I Hire an Asbestos-Abatement Company?

Think twice before tackling this project alone. Facing the liabilities and complying with regulations is difficult without experience. It will be hard, uncomfortable work. You cannot use power tools because they raise dust and water will be present. Visibility will be bad because of the goggles being worn and the fact that all lighting fixtures are removed. Not to mention the removal process of asbestos-containing materials is extremely challenging and complicated. Hiring an asbestos-abatement company will not only be easier, but safer.