Tips for the Safe Disposal of Asbestos and Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs)

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are known to cause cancer and other health complications. Therefore, you should call an asbestos abatement company if you suspect the presence of ACMs in your house or business premises. Service providers guarantee the safe removal of asbestos and leave behind a secure environment. However, an asbestos abatement exercise does not stop at removal since the ACMs must be disposed of safely and responsibly. How do service providers do this? Here is a guide that abatement companies rely on for the safe disposal of asbestos.

Hazardous Material Manifest

Management of asbestos, from removal to disposal, is an intricate process, which is guided by strict regulations and laws. Service providers must ensure that any ACM is responsibly disposed of, and it starts with maintaining a hazardous material manifest. The log helps with documentation of critical information regarding asbestos removal and disposal. For instance, the hazardous material manifest indicates the quantity of ACMs removed, the location's address, the supervisor's credentials, the recycling plant's name and address, and the disposal site. A copy of the manifest is handed to the client and the recycling plant. You can only be sure that ACM has been disposed of safely once you receive a hazardous material manifest. If you do not, follow up the matter with a service provider and the local council office.

Designated Dump Sites

There is a common misconception that asbestos and asbestos-containing materials can be disposed of in any dumpsite. However, it is not true because asbestos is not the ordinary waste that you toss in your skip bin for collection and dumping at a local dumpsite. Since asbestos is dangerous, a local council designates dumpsites specifically for hazardous materials. All asbestos abatement companies must ask for the information from the local council to avoid unlawful disposals. You will also find the data in the dangerous material manifest. Besides, you can confirm from a local council whether they accept asbestos or ACMs in their dumpsites.

Friable and Non-Friable Asbestos Disposal

Asbestos can either be friable (non-bonded) or non-friable (bonded). The difference is that the former is compact and does not disintegrate easily, whereas the latter is loose and crumbles under pressure. As such, asbestos disposal depends on the type of asbestos in your facility. While some premises accept both bonded and non-bonded asbestos, others only take one of the two. When hiring an asbestos abatement company, find out the type of AMCs they deal with. It is best to work with a service provider that handles both types of asbestos.

To learn more, reach out to an asbestos disposal service.