Utah (UT) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources:

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality recognizes asbestos as "a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of long silky fibers" that is known for its heat, chemical, and abrasion resistance (6).  For these properties, asbestos was commonly used in the construction industry.  Some of the possible asbestos-containing building materials recognized by Utah are ceiling textures, vinyl floor coverings and mastic, boiler and pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, roofing products, clapboard shingles, and others (1).  Some of these are regulated materials (1).  Despite these positive qualities of asbestos, asbestos-containing material can cause a health threat.  When asbestos is disturbed, it can send tiny asbestos fibers into the air (7).  Once airborne, they can be inhaled into the lungs where they can remain for long periods of time since they are so light (7).  Once the fibers are in the air, they can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can develop into serious health problems, like mesothelioma and asbestosis (7).  The risk of developing these health problems increases with the intensity of length of exposure; however, it is important to note that not all asbestos-containing products are an immediate threat (7).  Intact, undisturbed materials are not hazardous because they are not releasing fibers into the air, so sometimes it is best to leave these materials alone (7).  On the other hand, when renovations or demolitions are to take place, it may be necessary to remove the materials, as they would become dangerous when they are damaged in the renovation or demolition.

Inspection

While it is legal in Utah for private homeowners to take samples in their own homes and submit them to labs to be tested, it is always recommended to hire a professional for inspections (5).  In facilities that are regulated, it is required that all buildings are thoroughly inspected by a licensed inspector before demolitions or renovations begin, unless the building has been ordered to be demolished because it is structurally unsound (5).  Inspectors are required to determine the scope of the demolition or renovations, inspect the areas where demolition or renovation work is to take place, collect samples from suspect areas, and complete an asbestos report.  In all cases, any unsampled potential asbestos-containing material is to be treated as though it contains asbestos (5).  In the report, inspectors must include a variety of information including a description of the areas, a list of all suspect materials, the amount of material, a list of samples collected from suspect materials, and a list of potential locations of suspect materials that were not accessible for sampling (5).  These records must be kept available for one year after the inspection (5).  If it is found that the amount of regulated asbestos-containing material is too great, then it may be necessary to schedule abatement before the procedure begins (2).  While it is legal for private homeowners to perform asbestos abatement on their own homes, does not decrease the risks of asbestos exposure.  It is always recommended that even homeowners hire professionals who are trained in asbestos safety, and it is required that professionals handle asbestos removal in all regulated buildings.

Equipment

Asbestos abatement requires a significant amount of specialized equipment, which is another reason why professionals should always be hired.  To ensure personal safety, all workers must have half face, dual cartridge respirators that are equipped with a pair of HEPA filters and fit properly, several pairs of oversized coveralls with built-in booties, laceless, pull on rubber boots without fasteners, non-fogging goggles, and several pairs of disposable rubber gloves (5).  Some of the tools and supplies that professionals use include two or three gallon tank sprayers, liquid dish washing detergent to mix with water for wetting, putty knives and dust pans, six foot aluminum or fiberglass step ladders, polyethylene plastic sheeting for creating containment areas, asbestos waste disposal bags that are 33 inches by 50 inches, duct tape, clean rags, and encapsulants (5).  These materials can be obtained from safety equipment vendors but can be quite costly and time consuming.  Professionals are already equipped with these tools.

Preparing the Site

Before any asbestos abatement can begin, the area must be properly prepared to maximize safety to others and the environment.  Before a containment area is even built, warning signs must be posted, furniture must be removed from the area, heating and air conditioning systems must be turned off, vents must be sealed, electrical power must be switched off.  If it is necessary, lighting must be wired to a circuit outside of the removal area (5). 

Once these are complete, the containment area must be built to strict regulations.  The floors of the containment area must be covered with two layers of six mil polyethylene that reaches a foot up the walls, and the walls must be covered with two or three mil sheeting (5).  From there, workers construct polyethylene isolation walls over doorways and create one entrance and exit (5).  Once the containment has been inspected by workers for leaks, they can put on their protective gear and begin the abatement (5).

Abatement

To perform abatement, it is recommended that at least three workers are present -- two to perform the work, and one to provide materials and act as an assistant(5). Before the asbestos containing materials can be removed, all asbestos containing material must be adequately wetted with amended water using a tank sprayer (5).  After spraying, workers wait 15 to 20 minutes for the water to saturate the material (5). This process prevents asbestos fibers from entering the air (5).  Once the material is wetted, the workers remove the material and place them into asbestos waste bags (5).  From there, the workers wet clean all surfaces where asbestos was present with a clean, damp rag (5). The polyethylene on the floors and walls must remain wet as well, as any material that falls and becomes dry may result in airborne asbestos particles (5).  When the removal is complete, the asbestos waste bags must be sealed and taped, and placed into a second bag (5). Encapsulant must be sprayed on surfaces to ensure that there is no asbestos residue that could become airborne (5).  After this is completed, the containment area may be taken down and placed in asbestos waste bags for disposal (5).  All equipment and protective clothing must be either disposed of with the rest of the asbestos waste or cleaned thoroughly (5).

After this, it is the responsibility of the contractor to arrange for the proper disposal of the waste to a landfill that is approved to handle asbestos waste.  There are six landfills distributed throughout Utah and all of them require that arrangements are made prior to accepting asbestos waste (4). Some of them only accept waste that was generated within certain geographical regions (4). All asbestos contractors are highly trained in this process and can arrange to have this dangerous waste safely transported and disposed of.  All of these regulations are set in place to keep workers safe.  This is the reason that professional workers must be hired to complete abatement in all regulated facilities, and it is recommended that private homeowners hire contractors.  Asbestos abatement can be a dangerous process if it is not handled properly, and the experiences of these professionals can ensure that minimal asbestos dust is created.  Fortunately, there are many training sites and certified asbestos workers within Utah who can explain your options when it comes to asbestos problems. 

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