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Question: Do I have to leave my home during the abatement? Answer: Asbestos abatement is a controlled activity performed in a regulated work area and there is no reason, whatsoever, to leave your home. You should be suspicious of a contractor who asks you to leave the house. Question: I am having work done on my furnace and I need to have what I think is asbestos removed. Can a licensed oil burner tech remove the asbestos? Answer: An oil burner technician, licensed by the Oil and Solid Fuel Board, under Title 32, Chapter 33, can remove asbestos to install, repair, or remove heating equipment. However, they must follow all DEP regulations for the removal. This means that they must notify the Maine DEP of the removal. If there is no notification when more than 3 linear feet of pipe covering or 3 square feet of boiler material is taken from your property, you should call the DEP. In addition, anyone who transports asbestos must possess a permit from the Maine Department of Transportation. Question: How do I know if this material is asbestos? Answer: Maine regulates asbestos analytical laboratories through a licensing process. You may obtain a list through the Maine DEP. Only people licensed to take a bulk asbestos sample can take a sample in your home. Question: Where do I go to find out what the laws regarding asbestos are? Answer: You can check our website Regulations page. You can also contact the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The regulations are under Chapter 425, Asbestos Management Regulations. Question: Can I remove asbestos myself? Answer: The homeowner can only remove asbestos siding, following Maine DEP laws and regulations. Question: I just bought a house. How do I know if there was once asbestos in the house and if it was removed legally? Answer: If you suspect that your house once had asbestos, you should check with past DEP asbestos notifications filed for your address. You can also hire an industrial hygienist to perform tests which will show any asbestos residue. Question: I hired someone to remove floor tile and linoleum from my kitchen and it was found to contain asbestos. Can I hold them responsible for contaminating my house? Answer: Yes, you can hold the workers responsible for contamination. You should call the Maine DEP. Question: I have received three quotes for the removal of asbestos in my home and one is one-half of the other two quotes. Should I take the lower price? Answer: To the people who have used our services, the name New Meadows Abatement stands for quality asbestos abatement at a reasonable price. It should come as no surprise the less responsible contractor is prepared to offer what appears to be bargain rates. What is surprising, perhaps, is that some building owners still do not foresee the liabilities attached to such "bargains." Interestingly, the Federal Environmental Protections Agency sees this issue with special clarity. "Successful abatement, not cost minimalization, is the goal. A premium may well be justified to help secure success," the EPA cautions in its Guidance for Controlling Friable Asbestos-Containing Material in Buildings. ALL CONTRACTORS ARE NOT EQUAL!!! Question: I've been around asbestos all my life. Why should I hire someone to remove it? Answer: The period between exposure to asbestos and the negative health affects from the exposure can be forty years. It is unhealthy and illegal to remove asbestos pipe covering by a homeowner. Question: What products are known to contain asbestos? Answer: See Sources of Asbestos |
