Mesothelioma

Is there a good or safe way to remove asbestos that insulates pipes leading from your boiler / heater?

I know you have to have a company in hazmat suits come out and they seal the area off and work with a machine that draws in the air and fibers, but isn't there still some residue in the air and on things that can be dangerous? I'm worried I should sell the house and not live here myself during or after the renovation. I'm worried about mesothelioma... lung cancer from inhaling bits of asbestos. So far, I've just not touched the asbestos... hoping not stirring it up would be safer, but now I have problems with my boiler and will have to have it replaced, which means dealing with the asbestos problem. sigh.

Public Comments

1. Asbestos abatements were sometimes necessary on old job, usually in healthcare facilities. The contractors have the equipment/ materials to remove asbestos debris & protect the surrounding areas during normal hours . Licensed abatement contractors test the enviornment before & after work is done & certify the area is safe. The contractor will advise if it is best to vacate the property (or not ) while work is in progress. If there is extensive asbestos wrapping on piping ,the contractor may be able to re- encapsulate it if that is a good option. Could get lucky, some older homes had pipes insulated with glass fiber that was wrapped the same old way they did the asbestos. Might also check local regs to see if the home can be sold "as is " or if you must perform an abatement as a condition of sale. It needs to be a co-ordinated effort between the heating contractor & the abatement contractor to prepare for the new furnace since the heating contractor will not be able to start work until the place has been certified "safe". Might be disruptive , but a reputable licensed plumber & certified abatement contractor can do the job safely. Best regards
2. As long as you use a reputable company to remove the asbestos, you shouldn't have a concern. If it's done right, the area will be sealed off and final clean-up will remove any remaining dust. I know asbestos has a bad reputation and it should be removed when there's a chance for exposure when it's free in the air from damaged pipes, etc., but it's not like it's plutonium or uranium where any exposure will mean certain death. I'm not trying to trivialize your concerns but I don't think you should be concerned if the clean-up is done properly. Lastly, I would expect a final inspection and testing should be part of the clean-up which will also hopefully alleviate your concerns.