BACKGROUND: ASBESTOS IN BUILDING

Inhalation of fibres released by asbestos in buildings represents a serious public health problem.

According to studies by occupational health experts such as J. Peto in "The European Mesothelioma Epidemic" (London, 1999), it is estimated that in the next 30 years 500,000 people will die from diseases related to asbestos fibres. For his part, A. Tossavainen projects that, in industrialized countries, 30,000 people will die from cancer associated with this material.

In Spain, the Order of December 7, 2001 completely banned the use of asbestos and materials containing it.

The term "asbestos" covers a variety of fibrous mineral materials, all of which are complex metasilicates with the ability to defibre under pressure. These materials, such as amosite, anthophyllite and chrysotile, were widely used due to properties such as:

• Incombustibility.

• Thermal insulation capacity.

• High temperature resistance.

• Low cost.

From 1989 until its final ban, Spanish regulations required that materials containing asbestos be clearly labelled to inform users about their risks.

Since the total ban, the main danger of inhaling asbestos fibres falls on workers involved in the rehabilitation, maintenance and demolition of buildings containing this material. The resulting waste should be considered "special waste" and should preferably be treated by inerting and encapsulation, rather than dismantling, to minimise the risk of fibre release.

In addition, landfills for construction products in Europe generate uncontrolled levels of fibre release on a daily basis, causing environmental pollution that is difficult to quantify.

There are references to products containing asbestos that can now be inerted and encapsulated. Most of these materials were used between 1965 and 1990, and are found in buildings from that period.

SOLUTIONS FOR ASBESTOS

1. Controlled landfill : Management as special waste.

2. Inertization and encapsulation : Use of certified paint.

The regulations prioritize minimizing the handling of asbestos-containing materials to reduce the release of hazardous fibers. Projects must focus on encapsulating and sealing the materials without the need to dismantle them.

The recommended procedure consists of three stages:

1. Identification :

   • Prediagnosis.

   • Risk assessment.

   • Diagnosis.

2. Intervention :

   • Cleaning.

   • Sealed.

   • Encapsulated with certified paint .

3. Maintenance :

   • Implementation of a maintenance plan according to the Building Regulations Act (LOE).

CONSTRUCTIONAL ASBESTOS REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES

Materials that previously contained asbestos have been replaced by safe alternatives, such as:

• Steel or galvanized sheets.

• Composite materials of perlite, vermiculite, expanded clays and silicates.

• Cast iron or plastic ducts.

• Ceramic tiles.

• Coated polyester tanks.

• Insulation with plastic foams.

• Metallic wools (steel, zinc, copper).

• Carbon fibers.

PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS IN BUILDINGS

Buildings built between 1965 and 1990 often contain asbestos in:

• Metal column and beam cladding.

• Garages (structures and pipes).

• Industrial areas (insulation and insulation).

• False ceilings (pressed fiber boards, common in offices).

• Water pipes and drinking water tanks.

CERTIFIED SOLUTION FOR ASBESTOS ENCAPSULATION

If you want to know more about the process or the painting, we leave you the direct link to another article where we talk about How to Extend the Useful Life of Uralite Roofs with Certified Paint

If you want to know more about certified paint to encapsulate asbestos or uralite, click here