Asbestos is a material that has great strength, insulation and fire-proof properties. As such, it has been used in buildings for many years. Unfortunately, it has been proven that small asbestos fibres can become airborne and inhaled quite effortlessly. Asbestos particles are dangerous if inhaled because they stick to lung walls, which over time can lead to diseases like cancer and pleural plaques. So it's very important to take the proper steps when undertaking vinyl asbestos tiles removal projects.
Vinyl asbestos tiles should be handled with a lot of care. Only work with asbestos if it's non-friable meaning it cannot be crushed into dust using your bare hands. If you can reduce it to dust there's a strong likelihood that you will breathe in asbestos fibres. If this is the case, you should hire asbestos removal contractors instead.
Undertaking an asbestos removal project isn't easy. You'll need all the right gear like a respirator/mask, goggles and coveralls. A safety work wear shop can sort you out, and believe me when I say having this gear is going to make the work very uncomfortable. When removing the tiles make sure you do so in whole pieces so that the material you're working with is kept in a non-friable state. Try not to use power tools if possible or grind, hammer, drill or saw the tiles. There's a strong chance of asbestos particles being released if you do.
It's actually against the law in many places to do this type of work yourself and instead you need to use a trained professional. These professionals have all the necessary gear and training to undertake a removal project correctly and safely.
The removal of asbestos is not to be underestimated. A removal project means understanding all the regulations including correct disposal and treatment.
It's dangerous to undertake an asbestos removal project yourself. There's a chance you might even be fined if it's illegal and you get caught. It's also not enough to throw any asbestos material in the bin. It requires proper preparation and disposal.
You should contact your local authorities if you plan to undertake an asbestos removal project and you're unsure of the laws in your area.
