Testing and Removal of Asbestos.
The term asbestos is a combination of six naturally occurring silicate minerals that are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals. Resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion is a distinguishing feature of asbestos. Asbestos exposure to human is very lethal as its toxic. When asbestos is derived in its pure form, it’s known to be an effective insulator. Strength and durability is made possible to materials such as cement, plastic, cloth when asbestos is incorporated. By inhaling asbestos, individuals suffer the consequences of having to live with it as it becomes trapped by the system. The disastrous effects of asbestos in the body is that it can cause inflammation and scarring inevitably leading to genetic damage.
When individuals suspect asbestos traces to materials they need to send a sample for testing. There are two major types of asbestos which are; serpentine and amphibole asbestos. For both amphibole and serpentine asbestos there are subclasses attached to it. Heavy industry, mining, military service, shipbuilding, electricity generation, construction, and firefighting are the industries to which individuals come into contact with asbestos. Despite those individuals working asbestos-related industries, families living with them also have the chance of developing the asbestos-related disease because of second-hand exposure. Friable and non-friable asbestos materials are the two categories of asbestos materials.
Toxic dust is released to the air as well as easy breaking when friable asbestos is used. The durability of non-friable asbestos materials usually results in keeping asbestos fibers trapped. Based on the negative effects resulted by asbestos, banning has taken a toll in most states of the world. Manufacturing companies are using alternatives to asbestos as most countries have banned it. Asbestos alternatives include the following; polyurethane foam, thermoset plastic flour, cellulose fiber, and amorphous silica fabric. Linen, cotton and wood pulp are the main contents of cellulose fiber that have been chemically treated. Insulation for roofing and siding is made possible by the use of cellulose fibers.
A high-quality woven cloth made from pure amorphous silica fibers results to amorphous silica fabric. Not is polyurethane foam cheap but also effective for insulation. Many buildings that are in the process of construction are sprayed on to polyurethane foam to seal the building. A mixture of wood fibers and binders results to the making of thermoset plastic flour. The wood fibers and binders are first mixed before hardening and eventually producing fine ground. Asbestos is safely removed by following some steps. The surface is sprayed with water after wetting down the intended material. As the removal process continues, water is still sprayed. Damping of sheets is done to allow cutting of bolts. The bolts are then removed and placed in the asbestos waste container.