Clean Air Services are specialists in the safe removal or encapsulation of asbestos. Therefore, we are able to act according to the recommendations detailed in the asbestos survey report. We offer a 24 hour emergency service therefore allowing asbestos removal from sites at times to suit normal working procedures.

There are three common types of Asbestos:

	Chrysotile - White
	Amosite - Brown
	Crocidolite - Blue

These three types of asbestos are used in over 3000 products with 95% of production concentrated on Chrysotile asbestos. Their colours cannot always be distinguished by the naked eye.

Fibre Characteristics

Chrysotile – has soft curly fibres and is used in asbestos cement, vinyl floor tiles, roofing felt, insulation materials, oven gloves, etc. It is readily attacked by acid and mixes well with water, unlike other types of asbestos.

Amosite – fibres are rigid and straight which repel water and are therefore a good sound and heat insulator. It can be found in pipe insulation, insulating board, sprayed coatings, vessel and boiler insulation.

Crocidolite – has the best properties in terms of asbestos. It has straight, needle-like fibres and the drainage properties of Amosite. Its tensile strength is greater than Chrysotile and it can also be spun. Therefore it's uses include rope, insulation, steelwork spray protection and occasionally in cement boarding.

Asbestos is a carcinogen causing forms of cancer when inhaled.

	Any work involving asbestos is a precise and technical operation.
	Any work involving asbestos is a precise and technical operation. All asbestos work undertaken by Clean Air Services conforms to the Workers Health & Safety, etc. and current associated asbestos legislation.

Clean Air Services is a member of COR.

Clean Air Services will be responsible for all notification to and liaison with the relevant enforcing authorities and arrangements for all necessary air monitoring undertaken by independent consultants, unless otherwise instructed.

No asbestos removal contract is undertaken by Clean Air Services without a site specific Method Statement detailing the logistics of the working procedure. All personnel are reminded that it is essential for this procedure to be followed exactly and site audits are carried out at random to ensure this request is met.

Final inspections and air monitoring work are undertaken by an independent air consultant.

Our representatives will conduct a full investigation of the site

Clean Air Services will conduct a full investigation of the site in order to locate the presence of all visible and accessible asbestos containing materials.

Samples of suspect material will be taken and analyzed by an accredited laboratory. An asbestos survey report will be compiled detailing the location of all asbestos, risk assessments and recommending action to be taken.

The survey can be kept on site and maintenance records (i.e. Clearance Certificates) added as asbestos removal / encapsulation work is undertaken. Thus, producing a precise up-to-date assessment of the asbestos within the building. The report can be offered to contractors on site in order that their works can be assessed, therefore reducing the risk of disturbance or exposure.

As a certified asbestos removal contractor, Clean Air Services are specialists in the safe removal or encapsulation of asbestos

Clean Air Services are specialists in the safe removal or encapsulation of asbestos. Therefore, we are able to act according to the recommendations detailed in the asbestos survey report. We offer a 24 hour emergency service therefore allowing asbestos removal from sites at times to suit normal working procedures.

Construction of a sealed working area will be as such as to prevent any exposure to asbestos by personnel outside the enclosure.

Whilst carrying out asbestos removal works we aim to restrict the fibre release to an absolute minimum within the sealed working area and to enable the area to be returned to normal on completion or to enable building/refurbishment works to continue without risk to health from asbestos fibres.

Fibre suppressant is used as a matter of course and all associated asbestos waste is immediately double-bagged in identifiable bags and directly transferred to a licensed transfer station.

Most products made today do not contain asbestos. Those few products made which still contain asbestos that could be inhaled are required to be labeled as such. However, until the late 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. Common products that might have contained asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibers, include:

	Steam pipes, boilers, and furnace ducts insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly.
	Resilient floor tiles (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and adhesives used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
	Cement sheet, millboard, and paper used as insulation around furnaces and wood-burning stoves. Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing insulation.
	Door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use.
	Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling, or scraping the material.
	Patching and joint compounds for walls and ceilings, and textured paints. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
	Asbestos cement roofing, shingles, and siding.
	Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household products such as fireproof gloves, stove-top pads, ironing board covers, and certain hairdryers.
	Automobile brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and gaskets.

Where asbestos hazards may be found in the home:

	Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
	Houses built between 1930 and 1980 may have asbestos as insulation. Vermiculite insulation in attics and walls.
	Asbestos may be present in mudding for drywall, textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints.
	Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
	Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
	Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
	Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
	Hot water, steam pipes and ducting in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
	Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.

What should be done about asbestos in the home?

If you think asbestos may be in your home, don't panic! Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone. Generally, material in good condition will not release asbestos fibers. There is no danger unless fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs.

Check material regularly if you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don't touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibers. This is particularly true if you disturb it by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow.

If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present. Contact Clean Air Services

How to identify materials that contain asbestos:

You can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. A professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released.

In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not recommended. If you nevertheless choose to take the samples yourself, take care not to release asbestos fibers into the air or onto yourself. Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left alone.

Only material that is damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled. Anyone who samples asbestos-containing materials should have as much information as possible on the handling of asbestos before sampling, and at a minimum, should observe the following procedures:

	Make sure no one else is in the room when sampling is done.
	Wear disposable gloves or wash hands after sampling.
	Shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
	Do not disturb the material any more than is needed to take a small sample.
	Place a plastic sheet on the floor below the area to be sampled.
	Wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the sample. The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of asbestos fibers.
	Carefully cut a piece from the entire depth of the material using, for example, a small knife, corer, or other sharp object. Place the small piece into a clean container (for example, a 35 mm film canister, small glass or plastic vial, or high quality re-sealable plastic bag).
	Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it
	Carefully dispose of the plastic sheet. Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled.
	Label the container with an identification number and clearly state when and where the sample was taken.
	Patch the sampled area with the smallest possible piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release.
	Send the sample to an approved laboratory for analysis.

What is vermiculite insulation?

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like accordion shaped pieces when heated. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. These properties allow vermiculite to be used to make numerous products, including attic insulation.

Do I have vermiculite insulation?

Vermiculite can be purchased in various forms for various uses. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. Vermiculite attic insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually light-brown or gold in color. The pictures below show several samples of vermiculite attic insulation.

Is vermiculite insulation a problem?

Prior to its close in 1990, much of the world’s supply of vermiculite came from a mine near Libby, Montana. This mine had a natural deposit of asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos. Attic insulation produced using vermiculite ore, particularly ore that originated from the Libby mine, may contain asbestos fibers. Today, vermiculite is mined at three U.S. facilities and in other countries which have low levels of contamination in the finished material.

What should I do if I have vermiculite attic insulation?

DO NOT DISTURB IT. Any disturbance has the potential to release asbestos fibers into the air. Limiting the number of trips you make to your attic and shortening the length of those trips can help limit your potential exposure. Clean Air Services strongly recommend that::

	Vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed in your attic. Due to the uncertainties with existing testing techniques, it is best to assume that the material may contain asbestos.
	You should not store boxes or other items in your attic if retrieving the material will disturb the insulation.
	Children should not be allowed to play in an attic with open areas of vermiculite insulation.
	If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite, You should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself, please contact Clean Air Services to safely remove the material.

Vec - Loader

Clean Air Services is a proud owner of a Vec - Loader. This machine is able to suck out vermiculite from attics in a safe and efficient manner.