Important in the safe remediation and preservation of asbestos

Many asbestos-containing materials were used in the past, mainly in construction, but also in installations and ships. Asbestos was a cheap, strong, hard-wearing material, which was also resistant to bases and high temperatures. It is now known that inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibres is dangerous and poses a major health risk. It is therefore crucial to remediate or conserve asbestos in a safe and effective way. Read more about the different solutions Temati offers for encapsulating or removing asbestos in this article.

What is asbestos and where does it occur?

Asbestos is a collective term for naturally formed minerals with a fibrous structure. There are three types of asbestos: white asbestos (chrysotile), blue asbestos (crocidolite) and brown asbestos (amosite). Over 80% of asbestos in the Netherlands is processed into asbestos cement products, such as corrugated sheets and water pipes. Furthermore, asbestos occurs in other applications such as:

• Insulation material
• Fire resistant boards
• In gaskets and filters of the chemical and food industries

Asbestos remediation or preservation?

The processing of asbestos-containing material includes several options. The asbestos can be completely remediated (removal) or preserved (encapsulation and finishing). Several factors are considered when determining the right approach for asbestos processing, including the condition of the asbestos-containing material, the location, the intended use of the space, exposure risks and applicable regulations. It is essential to carry out a thorough asbestos inventory and assessment to make an informed decision on whether to remediate or conserve the material.

1. Asbestos remediation is usually chosen in situations where the material is damaged, worn or highly weathered. Remediation may also be preferred when there is a high risk of fibre dispersion and exposure. The goal of asbestos remediation is to completely remove the material from the environment to eliminate health risks. This requires a careful process that complies with applicable regulations and safety standards.
2. Asbestos preservation can be a viable option when the material is in good condition, not damaged and the risk of fibre spread is low. Instead of removing it completely, it can then be conserved. This involves encapsulating the material and finishing it with special coatings or sealants. The encapsulation process requires precise application of appropriate products and periodic monitoring to ensure that the encapsulated asbestos-containing material remains intact.

Different solutions

Foster® Products Corporation is an international pioneer and market leader in the development of asbestos remediation products. As Foster®’s exclusive distributor in Europe, Temati offers a comprehensive range of specialised products for encapsulating and remediating asbestos-containing materials.

·      Impregnating agent to encapsulate asbestos

Preserving or encapsulating asbestos ensures that the asbestos fibres are contained and cannot be released after curing. Various impregnating agents and coatings are available for this purpose, distinguishing between a penetrating impregnating agent and an insulating sealant.

• Foster 32-20, 32-21 and 32-22 are single-component asbestos impregnants that penetrate deeply into porous asbestos-containing materials. It dries to a solid, damage-resistant mass that prevents asbestos fibres from being released.
• Foster 32-80 is a bridging coating that forms a tough and elastic coating after drying, which prevents the release of fibres. This coating is also used after asbestos removal on walls and ceilings.
• Foster 30-52 Fireflex is the preferred product for outdoor applications where an excellent asbestos encapsulation material is required. A fungal and UV-resistive alternative to Foster 32-80.

·      Asbestos remediation products

Foster 32-60 is specially designed to facilitate the removal of asbestos-containing materials from various substrates. This ready-to-use asbestos impregnating agent easily “wets” the individual fibres (also fibres in the air) and traps them. After this, the asbestos can be removed without releasing loose fibres into the air and thus with less risk of inhaling the harmful substance. In addition, the Foster 32-60 asbestos impregnating agent is also effective as a residual fibre locking agent.

·      Coatings to encapsulate residual asbestos fibres

After asbestos removal, it is very important to encapsulate the remaining fibres to prevent further spread and exposure. Even after careful asbestos removal, small asbestos fibres may still be present. By encapsulating residual fibres, they are trapped which ensures that they cannot spread again. An essential step to minimise the risks related to asbestos.

One of the products that can be used for encapsulation is Foster 32-80. This is a special coating that can be applied to walls and ceilings. By diluting it with water, it can also be used effectively to lock remaining fibres on permanent and temporary surfaces. In addition, the asbestos impregnating agent Foster 32-22 can also be used to seal remaining asbestos fibres.

Safety first!

Although the removal and preservation of asbestos may seem simple, the correct encapsulation of the (remaining) fibres is very important to prevent further spread and exposure to asbestos fibres. Indeed, inhaling loose asbestos fibres is the main danger of asbestos. These fibres can cause serious health problems, the symptoms of which can appear as long as 40 years after exposure. Lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the pleura or peritoneum, are some of the serious consequences of asbestos exposure. Therefore, it is crucial to take strict safety measures when working with or near asbestos-containing materials and adequately protect oneself from possible exposure to asbestos dust.

Get in touch

Are you looking for a product for preserving or remediating asbestos? Or do you still have questions about any of the solutions mentioned? Our dedicated team is ready to answer all your questions and together find the right solution for your asbestos situation!