Drywall and Asbestos
Drywall is the most preferred material for wall finishing in many countries. That’s because of its fast installation, smooth finishing, and economical privileges. Practically, drywalls are gypsum made panels among which additives are filled to impart different properties to the drywall. Drywalls are widely employed in North America. Waste associated with drywall is of real concern as it may harshly affect the environment. Drywall waste can be distributed into three categories based on their source.
(1)Manufacturing waste: Drywall waste that does not fulfill the critical manufacturing standards. It accounts for 12% of the total waste drywall.
(2)Construction waste: Drywall separation at the building site is becoming a formal exercise, especially for large construction projects. Construction waste is the major source of waste drywall, accounting for 64% of the total.
(3)Demolition waste: This comprises both demolition and renovation waste, account for about 24% of waste drywall.
Drywalls are added with asbestos to increase the strength, lower the weight, and making the wall fire resistant. Utilization of asbestos is way risky and that’s what leads us towards its exposure risks and its management. Asbestos is known as “magic mineral” because of its valuable applications in the building and clothing industry. Asbestos is safe until it remains intact, but upon it’s crumbling little fibers of asbestos spread in the air and corrupt it.
Health Risks of Asbestos and Drywall waste.
The endless disposal of drywall waste, developed chiefly from construction and demolition sites, has been related to many environmental crises. In landfill sites, the moist anaerobic conditions of the landfill allow anaerobic microorganisms to degrade the sulfate component of the drywall, producing potentially toxic levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, a deadly and foul-smelling gas, while the incineration of this waste results in the potential escape of sulfur dioxide gas, a benefactor to acid rain formation.
The exposure to asbestos can be very lethal and long-term exposure can lead to severe health conditions especially respiratory syndromes, mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer, pleural plaque, and can even cause death. Asbestos fibers cannot be seen from the naked eye and anybody can inhale or ingest them without realizing it. Asbestos can act as a quiet assassin that’s why one must take significant steps to abolish it from the air. That’s why it is advisable to contact a professional to distinguish the existence of asbestos before building or renovating your house
Management of Asbestos and Drywall waste
The traditional disposal methods of asbestos-contaminated drywalls result in the loss of a valuable resource.
Therefore, proper waste management by professional and licensed contractors(RidofitVancuover as an example). They deal in junk and rubbish removal in Vancouver, Delta, New Westminster and others. They will ensure that a valuable resource is not lost and that environmental impacts are mitigated.
Important things to consider before initiating the procedure:
● The person for the abatement process must be a licensed asbestos abatement contractor and have the right equipment for the task.
● If a non-licensed individual is permitted to do the removal procedure, it may increase the health hazard.
● Most of the insurance firms will not take burden for any function regarding asbestos. It is important to be familiar that all the costs of the procedure must be paid by house or industry owner.
● The asbestos abatement process requires specialized gadgets. A sealed chamber is created by polyethylene sheet at the asbestos removal area and negative pressure is applied to it. Respirators and protective suits must be equipped.
If you are living in or near Vancouver, You can take help of Professional Asbestos Staff to get Asbestos testing, abatement and safe disposal.
Inhabitants are not permitted to enter the region during the abatement process. Particular vacuum cleaners are utilized which are organized for asbestos contaminants. HEPA filters are the key tool in the removal of asbestos.
Management of asbestos and drywall waste comprises of following steps:
1. Assure that traffic management is in place under the Highways Traffic Control Manual and Municipal procedures.
2. Cordon off the work area using a variety of asbestos warning signs, tall pylons or
sawhorses, and asbestos barrier tape to constrain access to the work areas by unauthorized
personnel.
3. The barricaded asbestos work area will be established with a personal decontamination area immediately adjacent, hampering access to and from the asbestos work area.
4. Place 6 polyethylene sheeting drop sheets on the ground within the personal decontamination area and shortly contiguous to the asbestos clean-up area.
5. HEPA filters are installed for entrapment of microscopic particles and suitable airflow is designed
6. Before starting any work that is likely to disturb the asbestos-containing drywall, mist water onto the waste. During the work, continuously mist water onto the waste heap that is being cleaned
up.
7. Clean up dust and waste by shovel or hand.
8. Double-bag the waste into asbestos waste bags over the 6-polyethylene sheeting drop
sheet.
9. Visually scan the barricaded work area thoroughly to guarantee all asbestos-containing material and dust/debris has been fully removed.
10. Instantly upon completing the task, complete the following tasks:
a. Rinse tools in a bucket of water, inspect; wipe with wet cloth if necessary. Rinse in second
bucket set aside.
b. Damp wipe disposable coveralls; remove and place in an asbestos disposal bag.
c. Exit the asbestos clean-up area.
d. Wet drop sheet.
e. Fold sheets and barriers tape to collect any remaining dust.
f. Place into an asbestos waste bag.
g. Double-bag the trash into a second asbestos waste bag and put aside.
h. Clean the outside of the respirator and remove.
i. Thoroughly wash hands and face.
j. Scrub and rinse the interior of the respirator.
k. Tape over the respirator filters or dispose of as asbestos waste.
11. Transport asbestos waste as hazardous waste and by the requirements of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations.
Conclusion
In this article, we have gathered some tips for managing drywall disposal. It will enable you to efficiently manage drywall disposal by uplifting health and safety standards, lowering the cost, and also it will help to conserve Earth’s natural resources and minimize the required energy for transport and reprocess waste.
