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Contaminated Land: Three Critical Issues to Address before Asbestos Soil Removal

25 January 2018 by Frank Lynch

Asbestos in the soil can be dangerous, especially if you are interested in developing the land through construction or agriculture. In general, if the asbestos particles in your contaminated land are released due to disturbance, they could be inhaled by the people around. As a result, diseases such asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma could develop in the affected people. Besides, the asbestos can cause harm to the general environment. If you are interested in asbestos soil removal as a remediation process for your contaminated process, you should address these critical issues before proceeding with the project. 

Wetting the Soil

You should have a strategy for wetting the soil before the removal of the asbestos soil. Typically, the removal process will cause the disturbance of the ground. If the earth is dry, the particles will be released into the air, and this will result in contamination. When you ensure that the soil is wet, you will limit this detriment. For the best outcome, you should discuss your wetting options with your contractor. One of the most reliable methods for particle control is an encapsulant. This product consists of multiple chemicals which will wet and encapsulate the asbestos fibres. You can also use a mister to apply a mist of water over the soil to minimise dust release. 

Disposal of Asbestos

Asbestos is a harmful material which endangers both people and the environment. Therefore, it cannot be disposed of like other types of waste. Otherwise, there will be unexpected problems such as ecosystem damage and community health issues in the future. Fortunately, you can avoid these concerns by handling the contaminated soil and asbestos-containing materials as prescribed in the law. You should check out the disposal options in your local area before beginning the removal project. If you have large amounts of contaminated soil, you will need to look for a suitable landfill. If your land has asbestos cement material which can be removed independently, you should inquire about the regional drop-off centres. 

Personal Protective Equipment

Finally, you should think about the provision of personal protective equipment for the asbestos soil removal project. Workers can get harmed while dealing with the contaminated material. Therefore, you should make sure that the right gear is available. You should discuss the details with your contractor to avoid unexpected charges. If you are planning on being on the site during the removal work, you should acquire your own PPE consisting of coveralls, respirator, safety goggles and appropriate footwear. 

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