What is asbestos?
The asbestos is the generic name given to a fibrous mineral group metamorphic mineral associated with silicates. Fiber cement originates from joining asbestos and cement. This combination may also be called Uralita, the main company that marketed it.
This material was widely used by construction in the 20th century as it is resistant to high temperatures and has good insulating capabilities. It was mainly used on roof covers, water tanks, downspouts, chimneys or machinery.
Finally, it should be noted that asbestos is considered by the WHO (World Health Organization) as a type 1 carcinogen, the most dangerous for humans.
The dangerous aspect about asbestos fibers is their size. They must be small enough to be inhaled and large enough to be exhaled. Dangerous fibers are less than 200 millionths of a meter long and less than 3 millionths of a meter in diameter.
What does Amisur do?
At Amisur we are specialists in the asbestos removal process, that is, the removal, transport and comprehensive management of asbestos (asbestos) in Spain.
We take care of removing asbestos in homes, communities, warehouses, premises or any facility; as well as transporting the material to the corresponding hazardous waste landfill where it is disposed of.
For the removal, disassembly and management of asbestos, in Amisur, we are governed by Royal Decree 396/2006, of March 31, which establishes the minimum health and safety provisions applicable to work with risk of exposure to asbestos. Likewise, the company must be registered in the RERA (Register of Companies with Asbestos Risk).
Can an individual remove the corrugated iron?
The answer is NO, in this case the law is very clear and establishes that to proceed to manipulate a material that contains asbestos it is necessary to be registered in the Register of Companies with Asbestos Risk, better known as RERA.
The uralite is a material present in many Spanish home constructions (and the rest of the world). As it is considered a type 1 carcinogenic material, it is only a matter of time before there is a Spanish law that requires its disassembly and removal.
Currently, it is only mandatory that the material be removed if it has reached the end of its useful life or has deteriorated. The useful life of this material is estimated around 25 years and is present when the material begins to spoil and water leaks begin or the material decomposes. If this happens, the asbestos becomes friable and becomes even more harmful and dangerous since the fibers it contains spread more easily.
When the material ages, it is forbidden to carry out any type of repair on it to try to increase its useful life. Likewise, the handling of asbestos material without training or the use of suitable PPE is a great risk to health. The removal of the uralita must comply with minimum safety measures to satisfy RD 396/2006, of March 31, which establishes the minimum health and safety provisions for workers at risk of exposure to asbestos.
