Asbestos abatement is the removal, encapsulation or enclosure of asbestos to reduce or eliminate airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers or amounts of asbestos containing material ACM. The proper removal of asbestos is regulated by many agencies in the US, including OSHA and EPA and includes requirements for engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment, exposure assessment, medical surveillance, and training. With few exceptions, the use of HEPA vacuum cleaners, wet methods, prompt clean up and disposal of debris in leak-tight containers are required for all asbestos removal operations. Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. has not banned asbestos. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently estimated that at least 10,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos exposure is linked to asbestosis, lung and gastrointestinal cancers, and an aggressive cancer called mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause permanent and
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