Important Things to Remember About Asbestos Disposal Regulations

Asbestos, a naturally fibrous material that contains a variety of different silicate compounds, has been used in construction materials and other products for decades and decades – the now it is no longer used, mostly because of its ability to create mesothelioma cancer in the human body.

Mesothelioma cancer is incredibly aggressive, though still quite rare. 3,000 Americans on average have to fight with mesothelioma each year, but because of the aggressiveness of the disease, many of them find themselves moving from Stage I to Stage IV cancer faster than they ever would have thought or anticipated.

If you have asbestos materials in or around your property and are thinking about having them removed, you need to make sure that you are doing so in accordance with all of the asbestos disposal regulations that exist today.

Here’s a quick FAQ to help you better navigate asbestos removal and the asbestos disposal regulations.

Must Asbestos Products Be Removed in the First Place?

If the asbestos that you are discovering remains in good condition and will not pose a hazard to your health or the health of anyone else that visits your property, you do not need to remove the asbestos when it has been uncovered.

At the same time, you will be legally responsible for keeping the asbestos in good condition, preventing asbestos particulate from distributing, and making sure that the asbestos isn’t able to negatively impact the health or lives of others.

As a general rule, it’s probably a good idea to get rid of asbestos when it is uncovered.

Are Asbestos Inspections Mandatory?

Depending upon the specifics of your situation and your jurisdiction, you may or may not have to hire professionals to come in and perform an asbestos inspection.

If this is required by law in your area, you will have to hire a Department of Labor Standards certified asbestos consultant to determine whether or not asbestos is present, whether or not it has to be removed, and how to best go about removing it.

Do I Have to Notify Anyone When I Intend to Remove Asbestos?

You do not necessarily have to contact anyone when you intend to remove asbestos materials, but you will want to make sure that you are adhering to all asbestos disposal regulations – and that usually means hiring asbestos removal experts and professionals that are certified to do this kind of work, have successfully completed these kinds of projects in the past, and will dispose of the asbestos for you moving forward.

Can I Dispose of Asbestos on My Own?

Again, you could certainly undertake the project of removing and disposing of asbestos all on your own – you won’t be in violation of any asbestos disposal regulations by choosing to do so – but it’s not a good idea to undertake this kind of effort without knowing exactly what you’re doing or moving forward without the right equipment to protect you and your loved ones.

When it comes to the actual disposal of this material it has to be done by certified professionals at a certified location. You’ll can find information about these kinds of locations online rather easily, and it’s critical that you do exactly that without disposing of asbestos in the local landfill or waste management facility, for example.

How Do I Find a Company That Will Adhere to All Asbestos Disposal Regulations?

At the end of the day, finding professional companies that adhere to all asbestos disposal regulation is rather simple and straightforward. The web will be your best friend, as most of these companies are always just a quick Google search away.

You’ll be able to research your options, interview companies, and choose the right professionals to make sure that you, your loved ones, your property, and your future are protected by adhering to all asbestos disposal regulations!