The quality of the air we breathe has an impact on our health and well-being. Air polluted by substances and minerals poses a risk to our health. Asbestos is one of the minerals that would be harmful to health inhalation. Discover in this article the consequences of asbestos and the different techniques used by professionals to decontaminate an asbestos area.
What is asbestos decontamination?
Asbestos decontamination is a complex process of removing asbestos by following specific safety rules. Asbestos represents a set of mineral fiber used, formerly for the insulation of buildings and residences. It is contained in the elements involved in the construction, including vinyl tiles, vermiculite plaster, exterior coatings, plaster attached, plumbing, etc.
What are the health risks associated with asbestos?
Asbestos is not dangerous when there is no direct handling with it. However, it is very important to follow a decontamination procedure whenever a person comes into contact with an asbestos zone. Asbestos is a very dangerous mineral for your health. The fibres in asbestos are health hazards. When inhaled, they can create lung problems that will appear 20 to 40 years later. These include asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is a very rare form of cancer that affects the organs of the abdomen or lung envelope. Asbestos-containing materials are therefore dangerous when they are in poor condition, when they are powdered or when they are handled during renovations. Because of its many negative effects, it is important, if you present a risk of exposure to this mineral, to call on specialists for asbestos decontamination.
What are the different types of asbestos decontamination?
Attempting to decontaminate a space containing asbestos yourself is strictly discouraged. It is a process that requires the expertise of a professional. If you hire a Montreal asbestos decontaminationprofessional, they will use one of two techniques to clean up your space. But before that, will check the actual presence of asbestos in space.
Dry decontamination,a technique that often uses a specialized vacuum cleaner, involves folding asbestos-contaminated leaves. This method is most used especially when there is a risk of electric shocks in case of humidity. Before opting for this method, it is important to ensure that, apart from the sealed leaves, nothing has been contaminated.
Wet contamination,also known as wet wiping, is a method of cleaning contaminated surfaces and objects with a disposable cloth. After the operation, the contaminated rags and objects are removed to avoid contamination of the space again.
Even though decontamination has been entrusted to an expert, it is important to follow self-decontamination procedures. These are precautionary measures that save you from asbestos-related health problems in the future. On the one hand, they boil down to the preservation of the respirator and the PPE throughout the work period and until the whole environment is completely cleaned. On the other hand, it consists of cleaning shoes, suits, and other individual protection. For this, you can use an asbeste vacuum cleaner.
What steps should be taken to successfully decontaminate asbestos?
Decontaminating an asbestos zone must comply with standards set by the relevant authorities. Thus, the professional in charge of decontamination must first have a perfect mastery of his standards before any intervention.
Second, the person must bring appropriate protective clothing before any intervention so as not to expose himself to the consequences of asbestos. Generally, protective clothing consists of mask, gloves, safety boots, goggles and other accessories. The masks are equipped with an assisted ventilation system to allow the worker to breathe healthy air. These precautions prevent the worker from being exposed to lung diseases due to asbestos.
Finally, any intervention requires effective preparation of the ground. Depending on the area to be decontaminated, a shower should be provided. It will be used to clean the tools used during the operation and the containers used to contain the materials. Also, it is strictly discouraged, even forbidden to eat, drink and smoke during the process.