WHAT IS ASBESTOS ENCAPSULATION? IS IT THE RIGHT CHOICE AS OPPOSED TO ASBESTOS REMOVAL ON YOUR PROPERTY?

 

What is Asbestos encapsulation? Is it the right choice as opposed to Asbestos removal on your property?

The issue of whether to completely remove Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) or to Encapsulate it arises frequently when deciding on the appropriate approach towards Asbestos management.

Although Asbestos removal may seem like the obvious choice for dealing with Asbestos, on many occasions, it’s not a clear choice as Asbestos removal can be complicated, costly, and may cause a lot of downtime. A reliable decision can only be made on the basis of the accredited surveyor or Asbestos consultants’ expert guidelines based on the information accumulated through an Asbestos survey report.

What is Asbestos Encapsulation?

A sealant is applied to an Asbestos-containing material (ACM) as part of the Asbestos management technique known as "Asbestos encapsulation". It functions as a shield, preventing Asbestos fibres from being disturbed or harmed and therefore restricting them from becoming airborne.

Encapsulation entails sealing the Asbestos and, if necessary, further enclosing it with materials such as resins and sheet metal cladding to stop any future damage. The protective layer can either be applied via a separate supporting framework or by directly applying it to the ACM.

The Encapsulations functions include repairing any damaged Asbestos, sealing any exposed edges, extending the material's usable life, reducing fibre release due to general degradation, guarding against accidental knocks and scrapes, and also improving the material's visual appearance.

After the ACM has been completely encapsulated, labels are placed on it to warn of the existence of Asbestos behind it and to avoid unintentional disruption.

Encapsulation as compared to removal

Encapsulation is usually considerably simpler than Asbestos removal. Even while removal is quite efficient, it may be costly and frequently necessitates a lengthy amount of downtime.

Furthermore, encapsulation may be done with little disruption. This is a preferable option if you need commercial Asbestos management since it allows your space to continue to be completely functional. Additionally, you won't need to properly dispose of the material, which may be expensive, if you choose to encapsulate it rather than removing it.

It is important to note that only healthy ACMs may be encapsulated; severely damaged ACMs must typically need to be removed and disposed of.

Recommendation

Asbestos Encapsulation minimizes risk, is quick, cost-effective and requires less renovation as compared to Asbestos removal but several factors play a role when deciding to encapsulate asbestos instead of removing it. These include:

• The type of product/material

• The extent of damage/deterioration

• Its surface treatment

• The Asbestos type and quantity

• Its location, ease of access and likelihood of disturbance

We recommend, only certified and experienced personnel should conduct Asbestos encapsulation. Incorrect and unsafe management of the ACM poses a major health risk to both you and the people nearby. It just isn't worthwhile to take the chance of encasing the material yourself because Asbestos is known to cause a broad range of lethal illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and Asbestosis. The danger and possible repercussions of doing it yourself surpass the expense of engaging a professional to take care of the ACM by a significant margin.

Contact us today and one of our experienced Asbestos consultants will take you through the process and ensure you are safely managing your Asbestos.

If you're interested in learning more about asbestos check out our blog posts here or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us for emergency response.

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Asad Khan