Asbestos Abatement and Removal

Asbestos abatement is the controlled removal, encapsulation, or enclosure of asbestos-containing materials by trained and licensed contractors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulate abatement procedures to protect workers, building occupants, and the environment. This section covers when abatement is appropriate, the difference between removal and encapsulation, how to hire a licensed contractor, and what post-abatement testing involves.