Asbestos Abatement and Removal Key Terms

Get the most of industry education by learning asbestos abatement and removal jargon

It is now known that asbestos, a once common material for building purposes and mistakenly believed to be relatively harmless to individuals, is very toxic. As a result, it has become very important to remove and abate asbestos from structures harboring the microscopic fibers hidden in insulation.

As with other industries, there are common phrases and key terms related to asbestos abatement and removal that are unique to the trade. You'll need to understand these terms and phrases to understand the need and process for removing asbestos.

 

Surfactant

Asbestos removal surfactant is a concentrated formula, added to water, designed to assist in the water's penetration of airborne fibers released during the removal process. With many surfactant formulas, the penetration rate is faster with a lower ratio of dilution.
Try: AirGas.com discusses the capabilities and uses of its specific asbestos removal surfactant, which has been specially formulated in order to "wet out" all different types of asbestos, including amphobiles, amosite and crocidolite.

Negative air pressure equipment

Since negative air pressure in a building or structure may pull gasses such as water vapor and radon into the establishments, it is important for asbestos removal teams to employ negative air pressure equipment. The equipment properly regulates and ventilates the air during construction and demolition projects.
Try: The United States Department of Labor discusses the standards with which such equipment must comply, including the fact that such ventilation systems are mandated to be equipped with HEPA filers. Lifa.net offers a diagram of such equipment as well as a discussion on what the machines offer by way of functionality.

Friable and non-friable asbestos

Asbestos materials that can be transformed from a solid material into a powder by manual methods when dry are known as friable asbestos. This includes tiles, plasters and thermal insulation. Non-friable asbestos contains an agent that hardens it, such as cement or vinyl.
Try: Find the comparison and discussion of friable and non-friable asbestos at WiseGeek.com.

Ambient air sampling

Ambient air sampling for asbestos is accomplished by collecting a specific volume of air through a mixed cellulose ester filter. The filter is then shipped to a laboratory that tests and analyzes it to determine how much asbestos, if any, may be found at that tested location.
Try: EPA.gov discusses ambient air sampling for asbestos, as well as which methods are utilized in the United States for analyzing such samples.

Glovebag

Objects and areas that need to be decontaminated are surrounded by glovebags. Glovebags are impervious enclosures designed to catch and contain all of the asbestos fibers that may be released during the process of asbestos abatement and removal.
Try: ExtraPackaging.com discusses the glovebags they manufacture, discussing some of the 15 differently-styled glovebags it offers to consumers.

Critical barrier

Also referred to as the final plastic barrier, the critical barrier in asbestos removal consists of the one or more plastic layers that have been constructed to seal off all the openings to an asbestos abatement and removal work area. It is implemented in order to keep the fibers from transitioning to an already decontaminated area.
Try: Ohio.gov discusses the importance of the critical barrier as well as some legal mandates regarding the implementation of the plastic sheeting during asbestos removal.

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