Asbestos Recycling and Disposal
The widespread use of Asbestos has certainly raised serious health concerns and most people today are worried about the removal or disposal of Asbestos and its related products. Though undisturbed asbestos poses no problems, however utmost care must be taken to prevent asbestos fiber particles from being airborne as they pose a serious health concern.
Why recycling or proper disposal is important
As evident from numerous studies and medical journals, asbestos fibers are highly carcinogenic in nature. Though one time exposure does not necessarily create problems, however long term exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to several medical complications, the most common being Asbestosis and Mesothelioma. These diseases are detected very late in their cycles, 15 or 20 years, and by then the extent of damage is irreparable. Since asbestos fibers are extremely light, they get carried away by air currents. Thus it becomes important to conduct proper recycling or and disposal of asbestos or asbestos related products. Though undisturbed asbestos is harmless, however, recycling asbestos proves to be better because the end products of the process are toxic free and can be used without any worries.
Recycling and Disposal
Asbestos and asbestos products are mostly disposed off as hazardous waste. Special facilities called Landfill sites or rubbish dumps are used for this purpose. Landfill sites are one of the oldest forms of waste treatment. However, with the advent of technology, newer, and more advanced and safe systems of disposal have come into the picture.
Asbestos recycling is the process of transforming asbestos (and its related products) into harmless glass of silica. In this process, thermal decomposition of asbestos takes place at 1000-1250 °C, thereby producing a non-hazardous mixture of silicate phases. At temperatures above 1250 °C, it results in glass of silica or silicate glass. Another method used for the same purpose is Microwave thermal treatment. In an industrial manufacturing process, microwave thermal treatment is applied to transform asbestos into ceramic bricks and porcelain tiles. Newer methods are being practiced where asbestos fibers are converted into harmless minerals of a non-toxic form and that too at a cheaper price than landfills. Many companies are dealing in this method and promise to completely remove asbestos from the waste stream.
Asbestos in You Home
Places where you can find asbestos at your home are gutter and rainwater pipes, garage and shed roofs, and insulation panels in some heaters. You can also find loose asbestos packing between floors and in partition walls, and walls, ceilings and doors linings. One must never drill or saw asbestos materials. Seeking professional help is recommended for different kinds of asbestos have different disposal techniques. However, if you insist on removing or disposing the same from your home, always wear a dust mask meant especially for asbestos. The asbestos material must be dampened well until bagged for disposal. Once bagged for disposal, arrangements must be made for its collection or for dumping it in a special facility for hazardous waste. Make sure to clean the area of work with a damp cloth once finished.