Land Remediation
When asbestiform material is found on or in the ground it usually generates a panic due to the unknown – whether amount, its distribution, its type, etc.. Remember, asbestos contamination within the soil does not pose a huge threat, so long as it remains in situ, and can be capped correctly and there is no risk of fibres becoming airborne. Whilst asbestos land remediation can be complex, with a professional and insightful approach it doesn’t have to be.
Quantities and its distribution can be determined, with the typical materials identified within such sites constituting asbestos floor tiles, asbestos cement, asbestos ropes and gaskets, and even asbestos insulating board and lagging material. One technique of remediation is that of segregation, wherein the Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) are separated-out from the substrate soil – this can be a significant task; especially, on the larger sites – but by time and not necessarily complexity. This technique of remediation is most suitable where the fragments of ACM are large and any fibrecount in the host soil is low. This ‘litter picking’ method is ideal for limiting the amount of contaminated soil that needs to be sent to landfill. Waste soil containing >0.1% weight/weight (w/w) asbestos is classified as Hazardous Waste.
If the asbestos found in the host soil is of a fibrous nature such as lagging or loose-fill insulation debris (such as AIB), then the safest method would be to have the soils disposed of as contaminated waste and replaced with an inert and verifiably clean alternative. This is not a cheap option – so considerable and careful planning prior to development are crucial.
Whilst removing asbestos from soil, appropriate measures are taken to mitigate the spread of loose fibres. This is done by the utilisation of controlled and asbestos specific wetting to prevent further spread.