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Tools and Supplies Needed to Remove Asbestos

The most important necessity to have during asbestos removal is water. For a single room, a hand-pumped garden tank that holds two or three gallons should be enough. For a smaller job, such as removing a few feet of pipe insulation, a household spray bottle can be used to keep the asbestos-containing products from shedding fibers. Adding liquid detergent to the water helps penetrate the asbestos-containing material (ACM) and assures a proper soaking.

Disposable rags are also necessary for an asbestos abatement project. Use the rags to wipe down large tools and any remaining material once the work is complete. Do not rinse and reuse the rags. All rags exposed to asbestos must go into disposal bags. The asbestos disposal bags are much thicker than regular trash bags. These are transparent and must be preprinted with a label that carries Environmental Protection Agency regulation warnings. Use duct tape to seal the bags. Duct tape will also be needed to seal thick plastic over windows, doors, electrical fixtures, outlets, and ventilation grates.

For smaller, linear projects such as pipe insulation, it's possible to avoid lining the whole room with plastic sheeting by using "glove bags." These bags help condense and manage the entire removal process. They have a pair of rubber gloves built into the side to allow easy access without having to worry about the escape of asbestos fibers. When operating in a glove bag, use small tools that are easy to throw away. Power tools should not be used in the containment area because they raise too much dust and become dangerous when used around that much water.

If you have to work above your head, invest in a sturdy step ladder at least six feet tall and made of aluminum or fiberglass. Do not try to get by with standing on a chair, stepstool, or other furniture. The ladder will not have to be thrown away, but it will require a thorough wipe down. Let it stand undisturbed in the yard for several days after it dries.

Removing Asbestos-Containing Materials

Some basic considerations that apply to every asbestos abatement project are:

• Keep it wet. You need to spray water before, during, and after the project.
• Keep it in the smallest area possible.
• Avoid raising dust.
• Protect all workers on the project from breathing the dust.

If you are hiring a professional abatement contractor, which is always recommended, it is still helpful to be knowledgeable about these considerations so you can evaluate proposals and supervise the work.

Licenses and Permits Needed to Remove Asbestos

In most states, only a building permit is required to remove asbestos-containing materials from the home as long as you do all of the work yourself. If any contractors or laborers are hired, federal worker safety regulations as well as state regulations will have to be met. The primary federal laws are the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations delineated in 29 CFR 1926.1101. Depending on the state, the contractor(s) and individual workers might need special licenses. A permit will also be needed to transport contaminated debris to a licensed landfill.

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