Asbestos Encapsulation: A Way To Deal With AsbestosAsbestos accounts for one of the most useful metals available to mankind. This metal finds application everywhere ranging from household purposes to the medical arena. But despite all it's uses, asbestos is a very harmful metal. It can lead to serious respiratory problems and diseases in human beings. Thus there is a constant lookout for methods to deal with asbestos. One such method is asbestos encapsulation. Today, Asbestos has been universally banned including countries like Chicago and California, owing to the threats it poises to mankind. But before the ban was implemented, the metal was used for numerous purposes such as construction of buildings, insulation and for making equipment. Though, asbestos has been banned now, it still continues to be there in places where it was used earlier. The challenge is now to get rid of this asbestos that was used in earlier times but continues to do damage till date. To deal with asbestos, there are three major ways that are approved. These are removal, encapsulation, and encasement. Out of the three, removal is the most preferred way. However, removal is very expensive and not the ultimate solution. Encasement refers to the process of spraying a 2-part coating over the asbestos to prevent exposure to the fibers. Encapsulation is another way of dealing with asbestos. In this process, a structure is built around asbestos so that it remains totally covered. The idea is to completely prevent exposure of asbestos to air and other substances. Many environmentalists have found the process of encapsulation an ideal solution for dealing with asbestos. But like other methods, encapsulation too has its own drawbacks. Like removal, encapsulation too proves to be an expensive one. The expenses involved in the creation of encapsulation structure often reduce its viability. Another drawback of encapsulation is that not all buildings are designed to handle the weight of an encapsulation structure. Thus the method cannot be implemented in all situations. Asbestos encapsulation is also known as sealing. This is because in this process the undamaged asbestos is sealed with a substance that does not allow the element to become airborne. One must bear in mind that encapsulation can only be implemented if the asbestos is undamaged. In case the asbestos is not intact and is in a crumbled or damaged state, removal would be a more appropriate option. One must consult a professional before going in for this method. Like all other alternative methods of dealing with asbestos, encapsulation too has its own restrictions. But nevertheless, it continues to a great method to battle the hazards posed by asbestos. Asbestos encapsulation can be a great option to save you fro the deadly consequences of asbestos. |