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The best way to handle, dispose of and recycle asbestos is to hire licensed asbestos abatement professionals. Learn more about how asbestos is recycled and how professionals safely handle and dispose of asbestos-containing materials.
Written by Daniel King | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: June 20, 2024
Improper handling of asbestos-containing materials puts workers and the general public at risk. Asbestos exposure causes diseases such as mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer and asbestosis.
The risk of developing one of these diseases increases with every exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, mesothelioma specialists haven’t found a cure. Asbestos-related diseases are treatable but incurable. That’s why strict regulations exist.
These regulations aim to prevent workers and the general public from exposure to asbestos. Large fines and serious penalties are in place for those who violate asbestos laws.
Fines and penalties deter do-it-yourselfers from performing asbestos abatement projects. These projects should be carried out by a professional. They also incentivize building owners and abatement companies to follow regulations.
The first and most important thing to know about handling and disposing of asbestos is that you should not do it yourself. Asbestos is a deadly carcinogen. Only licensed asbestos abatement professionals should handle it.
While you can find information online about do-it-yourself asbestos abatement, don’t attempt it. Do not disturb asbestos-containing materials in any way.
If you ever come across any asbestos products in your home, it’s important to make sure they don’t release fibers. To do this, gently spray them with water until a professional can look at them and give advice.
These professionals are highly trained and certified to follow all federal and state laws. If you don’t hire a professional, you are likely to break one of the many laws that regulate asbestos, and you run the risk of facing a serious fine or penalty.
Handling and disposing of asbestos regulations include:
It’s now possible to turn asbestos products into non-toxic materials, like glass or porcelain. This process involves heating the substance with microwave thermal treatments or milling it at high speed. This technology has been developed by private companies and the U.S. Department of Energy. It can be quite complicated and costly.
Some of these methods reduce the volume of asbestos waste by 50% to 99.7%, depending upon the type of product being recycled. This reduction in volume is beneficial for landfills. It reduces the cost of dumping asbestos because disposal pricing is based on volume.
The non-hazardous end products of these recycling methods may be delivered to a regular landfill. Or they can be used in construction materials, as packing material or as concrete aggregate.
Currently, the cost of recycling asbestos is about three times that of traditional disposal. Some of the cost may be recouped by selling the nonhazardous end products.
In the U.S., asbestos recycling is not available to the general public. The Department of Defense has recycled asbestos at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina. Private companies are working on developing and refining asbestos recycling technologies. The goal is to make it more affordable in the near future.
Asbestos recycling is a safer way to dispose of asbestos-containing materials. The availability of regulated disposal sites is dwindling. This means asbestos recycling will soon become increasingly important.
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Asbestos abatement projects that are executed improperly face serious fines and penalties, including the possibility of incarceration and probation.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires certain practices for the demolition of asbestos-containing buildings to prevent exposing workers and the public to asbestos. These practices involve creating a thorough plan on how to safely remove the asbestos, using water and other methods to prevent the release of asbestos particles during and after demolition, and following proper disposal requirements.
Violating any of these regulations may result in substantial fines and penalties. For example:
Learning about asbestos products that may be common in homes and schools can help you protect your family from asbestos exposure. This will also help your family members learn to recognize and avoid waste that was improperly dumped that may contain asbestos.
There is no way to visually know if a product contains asbestos. The best practice is to learn about the products that are likely to contain asbestos and treat them as if they do, until you have them tested.
When people rent or purchase a new home that was constructed before the 1990s, it is likely to contain asbestos products. Even new homes built today may contain asbestos in roofing and flooring materials, cement shingles, millboard and corrugated sheets.
Older asbestos-containing products can include:
If you rent a home or an apartment and believe improper asbestos abatement has taken place, you have a right to report it to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and your county and/or state’s department of environmental quality.
The following federal laws and government agencies are responsible for establishing regulations involving the handling and disposal of asbestos.
Two primary government agencies are responsible for setting and enforcing asbestos regulations.
Check national and local government websites as well as guides universities and other institutions publish for resources on handling and disposing of asbestos. These include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
You can review the following resources on handling and disposing of asbestos to learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones:
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King, D. (2024, June 20). Guide to Handling, Disposing and Recycling Asbestos. Asbestos.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/exposure/handling-disposing-asbestos/
King, Daniel. "Guide to Handling, Disposing and Recycling Asbestos." Asbestos.com, 20 Jun 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/exposure/handling-disposing-asbestos/.
King, Daniel. "Guide to Handling, Disposing and Recycling Asbestos." Asbestos.com. Last modified June 20, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/exposure/handling-disposing-asbestos/.
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