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Georgia Asbestos Abatement Procedure


Following Georgia asbestos abatement procedure is necessary to protect your safety and avoid costly penalties and potential litigation.  Not all asbestos containing material need removal, so having an inspector examine your property before committing to removing asbestos will be important.  Friable asbestos must be removed immediately, as this is a serious health hazard.  Only professionals certified by the state of Georgia can perform most Georgia asbestos abatement procedures.  

Removing friable material

Friable material is asbestos that is exposed and can be broken with minimal force.  This material will release itself in the form of tiny particles that when inhaled, lodge in the lungs and pose a cancer threat for decades afterward.  

Friable material can be encapsulated, which is sealing it behind a protective lawyer of sealant.  As long as the seal is not tampered with, it will be able to prevent further particle leakage.  This is an option for renovation and general asbestos abatement.  For demolitions however, you must remove as asbestos containing materials, including non-friable materials.

Most contractors will be able to replace any material that is removed due to abatement.  This will usually be a fee separate from the one assessed for asbestos abatement.  There will be other fees for laboratory testing of materials for asbestos contamination and certifying a building as safe for renovation.  Expert contractors and other trained and certified professionals will be able to discern if there is asbestos contamination either through visible emissions, experience working with certain materials and the aforementioned laboratory testing.

What are likely areas of contamination in my home?

Many houses in Georgia use some type of insulation.  If the house was built before 1980, then this insulation is very likely to contain high levels of asbestos.  Often this form of asbestos is not well protected, usually only with sacks of heavy paper.  Applications that are more durable will seal the insulation in concrete or tar paper.  Care must be taken when examining these materials and you should avoid tampering with them at all costs.

Providing notification

You must notify the Georgia DEP before beginning any work on an asbestos containing structure.  There will be exemptions for small projects, such as one’s residence, provided the amounts of materials do not exceed a limited threshold.  The DEP must be notified seven days before any work is done on the structure.  The notification forms will include the nature of the material to be removed, who will remove it, how it will be removed and the plans to dispose of it, in compliance with Georgia asbestos abatement procedures.

How do I dispose of ACMs according to Georgia asbestos abatement procedures?

Friable asbestos must be wetted before you may dispose of it.  The wetting prevents the escape of micro particles and further degradation of the material.  It will be sealed in this wet form in a container labeled:

CAUTION!  CONTAINS ASBESTOS -- AVOID OPENING OR BREAKING CONTAINER. BREATHING ASBESTOS IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH 

Failure to label this material will lead to applicable dumping penalties as well as air pollution penalties.

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