How to Safely Remove Asbestos Floor Tiles

Asbestos! It's a strong fire-resistant fiber which was widely used in the past for fireproofing and insulation purposes. The problem with it is that is has these small, buoyant fibers which can easily be inhaled or swallowed by people. These damaging particles have been proven to cause a number of very serious diseases which including asbestosis, (which is a chronic disease of the lungs that makes breathing extremely difficult), and cancers. So, it's little wonder then why folks are concerned when removing asbestos floor tiles from older buildings.

Vinyl floor tiles contain asbestos (vinyl, asbestos tile - VAT) and should be handled with extreme care when being removed. The first rule is to ensure the material is in non-friable state. Asbestos is considered non-friable when the material CANNOT be reduced to dust by hand pressure. Non-friable asbestos can become friable should the tile(s) be damaged or smashed, which could mean these harmful fibers may be freed.

Removing these tiles is no easy picnic. To start with, you will need to wear protective gear such as a respirator and safety glasses which will result in harder breathing and poorer vision. The removal of VAT has to be done in whole pieces so as to keep the material in a non-friable state. This means that it is not safe to grind, saw or drill to assist removal.

In most states, asbestos must only be removed by licensed asbestos abatement contractors who are fully equipped and educated in the safe removal and disposal of such materials. They will usually come armed with plastic sheets to stop the particles from moving freely. VAT's are usually wetted down too, so as to prevent any particles from becoming airborne during the removal process.

Safely removing asbestos floor tiles is a serious business and they are usually placed in leak proof containers and marked clearly with wording similar to "DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS"

Once removal has been accomplished, the sealed containers are transported by the authorized agent to an EPA approved landfill site where it gets buried. There are formalities and administrative procedures necessary to record the job at hand, and the relevant authorities are presented with the appropriate documents for filing upon completion.

It is NOT recommended to attempt the removal of VAT yourself and there are probably penalties if you try to and get found out. Also, the waste product needs to be disposed of safely and cannot simply be dumped with your local trash.

For more detailed information and procedures regarding the safe removal of asbestos products, search online or contact your local authorities for an up to date fact sheet.

Andy Maingam writes articles for the website Floors for folks dot com where he has pieces on the stunning marble floor tiles and the benefits of Radiant floor heating. He also has other pieces on the site related to floor coverings and treatments.

Where to Find Asbestos Attorneys

Asbestos attorneys help victims of asbestos exposure get a compensation amount to take care of their medical expenditures and rehabilitation. It is imperative that you find the right attorney. Finding the right asbestos attorneys can be difficult because of the large number of attorney advertisements that you see everyday.

Attorneys can be found through bar associations, yellow pages, Internet, and law directories such as the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, available in most public libraries. Many law firms have their own websites. You can find a number of agencies online who can help you locate an experienced and qualified asbestos attorney. They also provide you with lots of current information about asbestos cancer, including its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. There are many online resources that help you find legal information on asbestos cases.

It is advisable that you gather as much information as possible before you select an attorney. Having all of the information available will help you select the best attorney. You can also seek the help of legal helpers to find the best asbestos attorneys. These professionals help you find the best attorney that that you can afford. They often have a long list of attorneys of all types, experience, and cost levels.

There are even statewide and nationwide networks of attorneys who specialize in asbestos lawsuits. Advertisements are even broadcasted through television and radio. These advertisements can often be misleading. Experience of these advertised lawyers are often overstated. Many of these lawyers may not have offices in the state where you live. A reliable approach is to contact a trusted attorney who can give reference to a good asbestos attorney.

Asbestos Attorneys provides detailed information on Asbestos Attorneys, Asbestos Cancer Attorneys, Asbestos Litigation Attourneys, Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorneys and more. Asbestos Attorneys is affiliated with Asbestos Trial Lawyers.

Asbestos Removal

Many buildings hold the presence of carcinogenic Asbestos which was used in thermal system insulation and numerous other materials. Before the ban on ?popcorn ceilings? in the United States in 1978, its use was a common practice in the construction of homes. The ?popcorn ceiling? is a source of the dangerous Asbestos, and therefore initiates a health need to remove the Asbestos present in the home and get the same verified in a competent laboratory. Asbestos might also be found in homes built as late as 1986, and therefore initiates a need of even their inspection. It is essential to determine the location of Asbestos, and them remove and dispose of it.

After removal, a proper disposal is crucial. The Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division regulates the disposal of Asbestos as a solid waste. The requirements presented in this brief account on Asbestos Removal applies to Asbestos containing waste and is not inclusive of Category I and Category II non-friable Asbestos waste that has not been reduced, crumbled, or pulverized to powder.

It is essential to seal Asbestos-containing waste in leak-proof containers or wrappings. The packaged Asbestos should be labeled as specified by 29 CFR 1910.1001(j) (2) or 1926.58(k) (2) (iii). It is essential for the label to include the following information: ?DANGER. CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS. AVOID CREATING DUST. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD.?

It is also essential for the labels to be in compliance with the 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) or OEBGD/FGS. To gain the value of visibility and legibility, it is essential to print the letters on the label in sufficient size and contrast. The labels must be printed in English, the host-nation language and DRMOs language. It should include the name and location of the waste generator.

The vehicle markings should be displayed such that they are easily readable and conform to the requirements for 51 cm?36 cm (20 in.?14 in) upright format signs as specified in 29 CFR 145(d) (4). It is essential to include the following important information in the lower panel with specified letter size, style, and visibility: ?DANGER. ASBESTOS. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. RESPIRATORS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ARE REQUIRED.?

A waste shipment record used for the shipments of Asbestos waste (40 CFR 61.150) is similar to the hazardous waste manifest requirement. It is the responsibility of the operator of the disposal facility to return a copy of the waste shipment record to the generator. It is always crucial to keep a copy of the waste record shipment for a period of 2 years.

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Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, being regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, HHAG, and EPA, falls on the Hazardous substance list. Also, because of the associated carcinogenic effect, it falls on the Special Health Hazard Substance List. Workplace Exposure limits for Asbestos fibers longer than 5 micrometers have been set. It should, however, be considered that Asbestos, being a carcinogen in humans, has no safe level of Exposure. The crucial steps to minimize Asbestos Exposure to workers and their family members include establishment of a regulated, marked area for handling and storage of asbestos, preference for enclosed operations and use of local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Other important steps for control include the wearing of protective work clothing, communicating all information on the hazards of asbestos, and washing thoroughly before leaving a regulated area and at the end of the work shift.

However, even by adhering to the workplace Exposure limits and to all crucial ways for reducing Asbestos Exposure, it is probable to develop Asbestos-induced health ailments. This needs to be consulted and resolved by a medical practitioner specialized in diseases induced by Asbestos Exposure.

The toxic effects induced by Asbestos inhalation include desquamating alveolitis, bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Other more serious health ailments caused by Asbestos Exposure include pleural effusion, pleural plaques, pleural calcification, and mesothelioma (a highly malignant disease).

The toxicity induced by Asbestos also finds its place in the relatives of the workers exposed to it. This is mainly due to the presence of Asbestos fibers in the clothes of the Asbestos workers. These contaminated clothes, too, require safe measures for cleaning or disposal. Because of the capacity of Asbestos to cause potential hazards to health, its use has been banned in many industries.

Asbestos And Mesothelioma provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos And Mesothelioma is affiliated with Lung Cancer Stages

Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma is only one of the asbestos-related diseases, but it is the most serious among them because it can be a deadly form of cancer that affects workers who have been working unprotected in an asbestos environment.

Mesothelioma cases in the States are still rare. It is estimated that there are about 2,000-3,000 new cases every year, but this is probably due to the fact that the majority of people who had been affected by asbestos in the 1930s and 1940s have already died and those who have been exposed to it in the 1960s-1970s still have not developed mesothelioma, so it is fair to say that more mesothelioma cases can be expected in the years to come.

Since mesothelioma is clearly related to unprotected exposure to asbestos in the past, there have been many lawsuits of the victims of the asbestos against companies, who instead of taking measures to protect them against the dangers, chose to hide from the general public facts about the devastating effects of asbestos on human health.

It is this wrongdoing that makes companies liable to their workers and gives grounds for asbestos mesothelioma lawyers to file lawsuits on behalf of their clients. There are lawyers who have significant experience in such cases and have won impressive verdicts for the companies, whose behavior was next to criminal.

Additionally, lawyers who have specialized in the area of mesothelioma know enough about the disease itself to plead the case in court and help their clients. There are mesothelioma lawyers who had virtually done miracles to defect their clients in court!

Therefore, if you or your family is considering starting a mesothelioma lawsuit, the first thing to do is to find a good asbestos mesothelioma lawyer.

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The Asbestos Disaster - Who Is To Blame

The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians were all aware of the health dangers of asbestos. It seems strange that the asbestos industry in many parts of the world chose to ignore the risks.

Even if the ancient wisdom had been lost, insurance companies were refusing to insure asbestos workers, or charging higher premiums for them by the 1920's. 50 Years later some companies in the asbestos industry were still doing nothing to protect their workers.

To be fair, the workers themselves had the same access to information as the companies, so must also take responsibility for their actions in deciding to work in a dangerous industry. In many respects that decision was similar to the decision that many people still take on a daily basis today - to smoke a cigarette. The apparent benefit of taking home a pay check overrode the distant possibility of death for those workers and their families, just as the immediate pleasure of a cigarette does for smokers today.

Having said that, I believe that the employers have a duty to ensure that their workers are in as safe an environment as possible, and that they are aware of the risks, so that if they decide to work there, they are making an informed decision. Clearly this did not always happen, and as a result the industry is going through a series of lawsuits, where people who have become ill are suing for compensation. Many companies around the world have already gone bankrupt as a result of this, and the process appears to be continuing. In the US there is legislation proposed to pay compensation from a central fund, but this proposal seems unlikely to succeed because of the level of agreement that will be required on how the money in the fund will be collected.

Both workers and employers in all types of business would do well to reflect on this sorry saga where no-one with the possible exception of a few lawyers, will ever feel that the decision to either work in, or employ people in a dangerous environment, was justified.

Tony McGlinn

The asbestos site makes it easy to find the information you need if you think you may have been exposed to asbestos. To receive your free 35 page support guide visit the asbestos education website http://www.asbestosabc.com.