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Asbestos floor tile removal
by Kirsten Hawkins
Removal of asbestos floor tile is a wide term that refers to
removal of not only asbestos containing floor tiles but also
other materials containing asbestos like sheet vinyl, vinyl or
asphalt floor tiles, linoleum and other adhesive materials.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of fibrous mineral and
has been widely in use in: building and insulation materials,
fireproofing, cement, pipe covering, refractory materials,
gaskets, floor tiles and joint compounds during 1890 to 1970.
Exposure to asbestos particles suspended in the air causes many
asbestos related diseases including a rare but life threatening
type of cancer known as mesothelioma. Removal of asbestos floor
tile becomes more important with the growing awareness about
harmful effects of asbestos exposure.
When should you go for removal of asbestos floor tile?
You should opt for the removal of asbestos floor tile only when
it becomes friable i.e. the asbestos crumbles in the powdery
form when it is subject to pressure by hands. However, make
sure that you regularly monitor even the good and intact
flooring. There is no need of removal of asbestos floor tile if
the tiles are intact and in good condition.
Dos And Don’ts For Removal Of Asbestos Floor Tile:
Before you start the removal of asbestos floor tile, you have
to get a permit from the Air Quality department. You need to
post this permit all the time on the work site. You ought to
keep floor cover wet before and during the removal of asbestos
floor tile. This is necessary to ensure that the removal of
asbestos floor tile is safe and do not pose any health hazards
for the persons involved in the removal process and for the
residents of the building.
Never perform any removal of floor tiles in dry condition. To
ensure minimal breakage, remove the tiles in whole pieces and
linoleum in large sections. After removal, put the wet material
in 6-mil poly bags or wrap in 6-mil poly sheeting, immediately.
Never leave the material in loose condition. To prevent
material from leakage use a duct tape to seal the poly bags or
sheets. Watch that contained floor material does not poke or
tear holes in 6-mil poly bags or sheets. Send the material
immediately to landfill before it becomes dry, along with one
copy of your permit for the disposal records.
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and
mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit
http://www.asbestosblog.org/
for information on asbestos
reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.
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