Asbestos Abatement - Rockaways by Peter Corless

From Rockways - Hurricane Sandy News (group on Facebook)

 I am presenting this as an equally-if-not-more-important issue as the recent discussions on mold removal. Mold is indeed toxic, and there are hazards with its removal. However, asbestos abounds in the older homes in the Rockaways. And people just aren't aware of how to deal with it. I am NOT telling people that you can volunteer to remove asbestos. In fact, I believe the weight of law says that you *cannot* just volunteer to remove asbestos, even if you know the medical hazard. It would be illegal to do so without proper training and certification. Because you could just leave behind a mess that could kill others as well in the long run. I want to keep everyone safe. Every volunteer. Every home or business owner.

Why did this suddenly pop up on my radar? Because of the discovery of 20 linear feet of exposed asbestos wrapping around water pipes in my mother's gutted basement. A lot of other work on the house is now held up until we figure out how to deal with it. Before pipes freeze and burst. So that windows can be installed. So electricity can be put back online. But no one's going to work there when they see that. One look, and the crews go back home. So I had to suddenly become the family expert on the topic.

Therefore, I wrote this guide. Let me know your thoughts.

Asbestos Abetement

When dealing with older houses and buildings, you may encounter asbestos in the walls, floors, ceilings and even on roofs. Asbestos is toxic and can cause many health risks if you and others working around you are not extremely careful and prudent with the removal, handling and disposal of debris around the asbestos. Guideline after guideline says that if you encounter asbestos, leave it in place, do not disturb it, and walk the other way.

Worse, you may not even know that asbestos is in the walls that you are ripping out beforehand. If you encounter asbestos, or are unsure if it may or may not be asbestos, STOP, think, and discuss with your team and the homeowner or business owner before you proceed with work that could cause harm to yourself and others.

Please take time to READ THESE LINKS FULLY to inform yourself about the risks of working around asbestos. Make sure you are properly informed and equipped, and fully prepared to accept the hazard when encountering asbestos, either as a property owner or as a volunteer. If you are in doubt at any time, and before undertaking any work yourself, consult with asbestos abatement professionals.

There are usually two separate parts of asbestos work conducted: testing, and abatement (removal). Testing usually happens before work is conducted, and after it is completed, to ensure both before-and-after levels of asbestos are tracked. At times companies that provide asbestos services may also provide mold remediation services.

Surgical or dusk masks or even a typical-for-Sandy N95-rated respirator used for mold remediation offer insufficient protection against asbestos. Specialized Asbestos Abatement respirators are available but are far more expensive. (ex: http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3m-asbestos-abatement-respirator-kits.html)

EPA: Asbestos: Protect Your Family

• http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family.html

NYC Asbestos Abatement

• http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/asbestos/asbestos_abatement.shtml
• Asbestos Rules and Regulations effective Feb. 3, 2011 -http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/air/asbestos_rules_20110203.pdf (The "Bible" of rules.)

InspectAPedia: Asbestos Identification in buildings: How to find & identify asbestos-containing materials

• http://www.inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/asbestoslook.htm
• Photos and guides to recognize asbestos materials.
• GO LOOK AT THIS SITE. A LOT. LOOK AND LOOK AND LOOK. THEN KEEP LOOKING.

Wikipedia: Asbestos

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos_abatement
• Example of Important Tip: "Only a special vacuum cleaner that's designed for asbestos containment (class H) can be safely used when cleaning up during and after asbestos removal. Ordinary vacuum cleaners cannot be used, even those fitted with a HEPA filter.[1] An ordinary vacuum cleaner will expel the asbestos fibres into the room air."

Asbestos Wrapped Pipes -- Episode #83

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=6xiGjSbXQNg
• This is a good video to watch if you are unfamiliar with what asbestos wrapping looks like; you will find this in the basements and walls of many people's houses.

Asbestos: What to Do if You Suspect it's in Your Home (Video)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSn_OCATLk&feature=youtu.be

Preventing Hazardous Asbestos Debris Exposure (Presentation by ADAO)

• http://www.slideshare.net/LReinstein/preventing-hazardous-asbestos-debris-exposure

TheRestorationResource.com

• Guide to Asbestos Testing and Abatement Information -http://therestorationresource.com/Guide_To_Asbestos_Testing_And_Abatement_Information.html
• Asbestos Testing And Abatement- All You Need To Know -http://www.therestorationresource.com/The_Restoration_Resource_Articles_in_Asbestos_Testing_amp_Abatement_Information_Category.html

Home Advisor: Asbestos Abatement Services in New York, NY (New York)

• http://www.servicemagic.com/tloc/New-York-NY/Asbestos-Abatement/ 
•  Average Price to Eliminate Asbestos: $2,000 - $2,500
• Project Timeline: 7 Days

NY State: Active Asbestos Abatement Contractor Listing (by Name and Zip)

• http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/safetyhealth/Active%20Asbestos%20Contractor%20List.shtm