Thousands of older homes and buildings contain asbestos-based products — and these products can put you at risk of deadly diseases like mesothelioma. However, it can be hard to know how to remove asbestos-based products safely. Get answers to top questions about asbestos removal right now.
1. What Are the Dangers of Asbestos Removal?
If you are considering removing asbestos from your home, you are probably worried about the health risks the material poses. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, or other life-threatening illness.
That said, improperly removing damaged asbestos-based products can send microscopic fibers into the air. Anyone who inhales these fibers could later develop an asbestos-related disease.
For this reason, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends not removing (or even touching) damaged asbestos-containing products.
You are strongly encouraged to work with an asbestos abatement company if you need asbestos removed from your home. These companies follow federal and local laws to safely remove or seal asbestos-based products.
Further, if you were already exposed to damaged or crumbling asbestos products, keep a close watch on your health. You may be entitled to compensation if you develop a deadly disease like mesothelioma.
2. Do All Asbestos-Based Products Need to Be Removed?
No, not all asbestos has to be removed.
According to the EPA:
“Asbestos-containing materials that aren’t damaged or disturbed are not likely to pose a health risk. Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos-containing material alone if it is in good condition.”
On the other hand, friable (crumbling) asbestos-based products are dangerous and should be removed. These products pose a threat because if you try to remove them, they may break down even more and release asbestos fibers into the air.
The EPA recommends limiting access to areas with damaged asbestos-based products and consulting a professional to get them removed.
If you are unsure about the safety of an asbestos-based product in your home, check with an abatement company.
3. Can You Legally Remove Asbestos Yourself?
You may be able to remove asbestos yourself if you live in a single-family home — but you shouldn’t.
While there is no federal law that prevents you from removing asbestos from these homes, some local and state laws may prevent you from doing so without proper training.
However, even if there are no laws that prevent you from removing asbestos, doing it yourself could increase the risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma unless you are an abatement professional.
If you want to remove asbestos from your property in the safest way possible, call an asbestos abatement company. The EPA recommends that you make sure the company and people you work with are properly licensed and trained.
4. Can I Stay in My House During Asbestos Removal?
You usually cannot stay in your house during asbestos removal, but it depends on the abatement company that you work with. Some companies may allow you to live in your home depending on the amount of asbestos on site. Still, it is considered safer to stay away until the asbestos is completely removed.
The asbestos abatement company Native Environmental recommends that homeowners leave until the project is done in most cases.
Consult with an asbestos abatement company to see if you may have to leave your home. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to asbestos removal.
5. How Much Does It Cost to Remove Asbestos?
The average asbestos removal cost in 2019 was about $1900 according to the Asbestos Institute, an organization that offers abatement and removal training.
The cost of removal or recycling typically depends on the size and scope of the project. You can often expect a quote to range anywhere from $1100 to over $2700.
Remember, the cost to remove asbestos is significantly less than the cost of treating an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. For example, it may cost over $400,000 to cover just the medical bills for one mesothelioma patient.
Safely Removing Asbestos & Mesothelioma Dangers
If damaged asbestos-based products are in your home, you should strongly consider removing them. Otherwise, you could be in danger of developing mesothelioma later in life.
Further, if you developed mesothelioma or another illness from asbestos exposure, contact our team today. You may be able to access legal compensation to cover the costs of medical treatments and asbestos removal.
This compensation comes from the manufacturers of asbestos-based products, who used the material for decades while knowing the deadly risks. If their products caused you to get sick, you can get money from them with legal help.