Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral that has been linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that air purifiers can remove asbestos from the air in your home when used properly. Below we discuss in detail how can air purifiers remove asbestos from the air.
There is no definitive answer to this question as the effectiveness of air purifiers in removing asbestos from the air depends on a number of factors, including the type of air purifier and the size of the unit. However, given that some air purifiers are specifically designed to remove asbestos from the air.
Types Of Asbestos
There are six types of asbestos that can be found in homes, buildings and factories. These are
- chrysotile
- amosite
- crocidolite
- tremolite
- anthophyllite
- actinolite
All these can cause health problems for humans when inhaled so it is important to have them removed from your home.
How Long Does Asbestos Stay In The Air?
Asbestos can be present in the air for several hours after it has settled on a surface. This can happen whenever asbestos-containing material is disturbed by cutting, drilling, or scraping. If asbestos is in the home, it can enter the air when asbestos insulation or other products containing raw asbestos fibres are cut into. Asbestos can also become airborne during renovations and demolitions.
It can even enter your home if someone else’s property contains unsafe levels of asbestos and dust blows through your windows. When this happens, you should remain inside until the dust settles since once inhaled, these microscopic particles can stay lodged deep within your lungs for many years and cause serious respiratory and heart problems later on down the line.
How to Protect Your Self From Asbestos?
Asbestos is still used today in the construction of various products. There are specific laws to help prevent you from coming into contact with this dangerous substance.
The following 4 steps will keep you safe if you’re dealing with an asbestos-related situation:
- Don’t disturb anything that might contain asbestos (especially if it’s dust) This means don’t sand, scrape or saw off damaged materials that may contain asbestos (this can release tiny fibers into the air which could be inhaled). If there is visible damage done to any materials containing asbestos, you must treat them as if they do contain it and contact your local health department for removal guidelines.
- Use safety gear like respirators, gloves, and eye protection when needed
- Seal off the work area to prevent fibers from spreading
- Clean up properly with a wet cloth and dispose of any asbestos-containing waste in a sealed container.
It’s also important to be aware of products that may contain asbestos before you start renovating or remodeling your home.
- Insulation (including vermiculite)
- Floor tiles
- Roofing materials
- Siding materials
- Pipe and boiler insulation
- Some types of joint compound
Do Air Purifiers Get Rid of Asbestos?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the effectiveness of air purifiers in removing asbestos will depend on the type of air purifier and the specific asbestos contamination. However, some air purifiers may be able to capture asbestos particles and prevent them from spreading so if you want the best HEPA air purifier for asbestos removal, you should visit this article.
What Filter Do You Need For Asbestos?
There are several methods that can be used to filter out asbestos particles, depending on what type of air purifier is being utilized.
1. A pleated pre-filter (usually made from high-density fibreglass) is the best possible line of defence against asbestos exposure for anyone who uses their house furnace or central heating system. These are relatively inexpensive ($20-$50), and can be either wet or dry-fitted.
2. The next level of protection – putting a pleated pre-filter plus an activated carbon filter together in the same air purifier – is even better, but it will cost more ($100-$150). A typical furnace filter has about 20 square feet of surface area. By comparison, a typical house furnace pre-filter has less than 10 square feet, and a typical activated carbon filter by itself only has somewhere around 5 square feet. This combination gives you 50 to 75 square feet of combined filter area.
3. If money is no object, the best protection against exposure to asbestos or other pulmonary irritants in the home is a true HEPA filter. A typical furnace filter has about 20 square feet of surface area, and a typical house furnace pre-filter has less than 10 square feet available for filtration. By comparison, a typical activated carbon filter by itself only has somewhere around 5 square feet. This combination gives you 30 to 50 square feet of combined filter area.
4. If you are using a portable room air purifier, the best protection against exposure to asbestos or other pulmonary irritants in the home is a true HEPA filter. A portable room air purifier with a True HEPA filter costs $200-$400.
No matter what kind of air purifier you use, if it is an iVAC or IQAir brand, all models made in 2010 and later have particulate sensors that shut off the air purifier when concentrations of fine particles drop below 10 micrograms per cubic metre. This means they cannot be used to filter out asbestos particles, which are much larger than nine of the common airborne fine particles. For that reason, iVAC and IQAir models cannot be used to filter out asbestos particles, either wet or dry-fitted.
Which Air Filter Can Clean Asbestos?
There are several types of air filters that can clean asbestos. The most common type of filter used is a high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter. A HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 microns in size, including asbestos fibers. Other types of filters that can clean asbestos include activated carbon filters and ozone generators.
How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure In The Home?
If you are like most people, you probably don’t think about asbestos exposure unless you hear about a large scale disaster like the collapse of the World Trade Center. However, asbestos exposure is a real danger, and it’s important to take steps to prevent it in your home.
Asbestos is a mineral that was once used in a variety of building materials, including insulation, floor tiles, and roofing. However, it has been shown to cause cancer and other health problems, so it is now tightly regulated. If you have any material in your home that contains asbestos, it is important to take steps to prevent the fibers from becoming airborne.
The best way to do this is to have a professional remove the asbestos. If you must do it yourself, be sure to wear a respirator and other protective gear. You should also avoid breaking up the material, as this will release the fibers into the air.
In addition, you should keep your home well-ventilated. This will help to keep the air clean and prevent the fibers from becoming trapped. You should also avoid smoking or burning anything in your home, as this can release the fibers into the air.
If you are concerned about asbestos exposure, it is best to consult a professional. They can help you identify any materials in your home that contain asbestos and take steps to prevent it.
FAQs:
Can Air Purifiers Remove Silica Dust?
The answer to this question is a resounding “yes!” Air purifiers are very effective at removing silica dust from the air. In fact, they are often recommended for people who work with silica or who live in areas where there is a lot of silica dust in the air.
Air purifiers work by trapping dust and other particles in the air. They use either a mechanical filter or an electronic filter to do this. The filters catch the dust and other particles in the air, and then the purifier cleans them out of the filter. This process removes the dust from the air and helps to improve the quality of the air you breathe.
