Chrysotile Removal in Ceilings

Health Risks

• All types of asbestos -- chrysotile include -- are carcinogenic, which means they can potentially cause cancer. According to the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center, people who live in areas where workers mine chrysotile are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related cancers and diseases. And while modern chrysotile ceiling products are dense and not brittle, older products can crumble easily and release carcinogenic particles into the air during removal projects.

Hiring a Professional

• Due to the health risks involved with removing chrysotile from ceilings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you hire a certified asbestos abatement professional. For best results, always choose an abatement professional who has completed a state or federal asbestos safety course. To find professionals in your area, contact the Better Business Bureau, a local health authority or the your regional division of the EPA. Costs for chrysotile removals in ceilings vary depending on geographical location and other factors. As a general guideline, however, professional removal typically costs between $15 and $25 per square foot of ceiling at the time of publication.

Site Preparation

• Before an abatement professional can begin removing chrysotile from your ceiling, he must first enclose the work site with plastic sheets and seal those sheets with duct tape. The site needs to be completely enclosed to prevent chrysotile particles from spreading throughout your home. For this same reason, an abatement professional must also seal off vents and ventilation ducts. If furniture cannot be removed, it should also be sealed with plastic sheets.

Protection

• Anyone who enters the work site while an abatement professional is removing chrysotile from a ceiling needs to wear the proper protective gear. This includes goggles, gloves and a respirator equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air filter. In addition, people entering the site should wear long sleeves and pants and seal off the seams between their gloves and sleeves -- and pants and boots -- with duct tape.

Removal Technique

• To prevent harmful chrysotile particles from spreading during a chrysotile ceiling removal project, an abatement professional will use a tank sprayer to coat the ceiling with a wetting agent. Wetting chrysotile helps prevent its dry, friable fibers from breaking off and entering the air. As the professional scrapes away the chrysotile, he should place it in heavy-duty plastic bags or specially designed asbestos containers. The bags or containers must be sealed, labeled and disposed of according to local disposal regulations.