If an ordinary shop vacuum has sucked up asbestos, should it be considered unsafe after that and thrown away? I don't know if this is the right kind of question for this site but I thought I would try. I was vacuuming some debris from a gap between the ceiling and the wall (brick) to do some insulating. I noticed a spot on the 2x4 at the top of this gap, where a pipe is passing through it vertically, that was splintered and soft. So, I stopped vacuuming and started breaking away the splinters and eventually went all the way through until some loose stuff and a few pieces of what I think are asbestos fell out. Then I realized there could have been asbestos dust there before I vacuumed, from previous work. The building does have asbestos. I don't think the vacuum is ruined, it just needs to be cleaned properly. Since it is a shop vac just empty the dust out into a safe container, clean the inside of the vacuum out with some household cleaner, and then change the filter.

You should be good to go after that. I dug up a statistic that 2-10% of individuals with heavy occupational exposure contract an asbestos related disease- and it doesn't show up for 30-50 years. This is things like shipyard workers from world war two. Permissible amounts are 1 fiber per cc, so you are breathing thousands per day anyway- it's all around us. Rules for asbestos workers are another story. Which is why removal by owners is permitted just about everywhere, but the minute you hire someone the rules get really tight. Which is why I personally took care of everything on my boiler piping before it started deteriorating, before I refinished the basement. Garden hose and lots of water on the floor. De-greaser in a bucket of water turns it into paste right away, then wash everything down to the floor, vacuum that (along with deteriorated limestone mortar and other mystery sludge). I'm old enough I'm not sweating this one. It's a wet/dry shop vac- take it outside run some water though it and forget it.

Some asbestos fibers are small enough to pass through the conventional paper filter, so the entire vacuum pump mechanism from the filter support to the outlet grille must be considered contaminated. Not sure how that gets cleaned. If it can be disassembled, it could be remediated as any other contaminated surface. More worrisome is these tiny bits passed thru the filter, and got blown all over the room. Now there can be asbestos mixed in with the dust in the whole room, which by now have been tracked elsewhere in the building. Before we get too excited, get the remaining material tested for asbestos, it very well could be nothing. If it's confirmed to have asbestos, the vac and room should be remediated. You can't just toss a contaminated vac in the trash, it has to be disposed in a proper, documented manner in accordance with your jurisdiction's requirements. The room should be closed to entry until the matter is resolved. Yes, we are talking about very small quantities, if any.

Chances of serious harm are very small. BUT, if just one microscopic fiber lodges in your lung, you may find you have a cancerous lesion in your lung 10-15 years later. drop base air cleaner demon carbThis material is not to be taken lightly.daikin air purifier usa If I were vacuuming asbestos I would get a 20 foot hose which you can buy from Home Depo on line and put the vacuum outside. mold air purifier walmartPut the hose thru the window and seal it off good. You also need a good respirator too. I go to Crown Cleaning in Orlando. Wear some old clothes you don't care about. Take them off in the shower and bag them tight when you are finished working. Take your respirator off after showering and wiping the bathroom down. Keep you clean clothes in a bag.

Can also wipe down hard or non porous surfaces as well. I would wipe down all walls and doors. Don't use the same clothe over and over again. You need to change out to clean ones. You can also clean out ac vents by vacuuming them. You can buy extensions for your wet vac at Home Depo. You cannot get all the asbestos out of clothes by washing them so throw them out. Also consider all appliances and ceiling fans have to go because asbestos will be in the motor. That would mean that your wet vac should go if asbestos is in the motor. That's how I would it. BTW yes get the material tested they will tell you what percentage of asbestos is in it. Anything less then 1% is considered OK.Browse other questions tagged asbestos or ask your own question. Abatement Equipment > HEPA-AIRE Negative Air Machines HEPA-AIRE® Negative Air Machines for Asbestos Abatement Contractors Legendary Air Cleaning Performance in a Galvanized Steel Cabinet HEPA-AIRE Negative Air Machines from Abatement Technologies® feature

high-quality, galvanized steel cabinets and water tight pop rivet construction. standard HEPA-AIRE models are available: HEPA-AIRE Model H2KM and Deluxe Model H2KMA Negative Air Machines The powerful HEPA-AIRE model H2KM and deluxe model H2KMA Negative Air Machines from Abatement Technologies are designed for the contractor who wants the very best in performance,The difference between the two units is that the H2KM is equipped with a visual “change filter” indicator lamp, while the H2KMA deluxe model adds a large 5” diameter differential pressure gauge and an audio “change filter” alarm. Features of the HEPA-AIRE Model H2KM and H2KMA Two Operating Speeds: 2,000 CFM (High) & 1,300 CFM (Low) Weight: 124 Pounds Including Filters Fast ‘No Tools’ Pre-filter Changes Standard 6”-Deep 99.97% Efficiency HEPA Filter Individually Tested and Certified at 2,000 CFM Airflow Also Accepts 12”-Deep Replacement 99.97% Efficiency HEPA Filter

High-Performance Motor & Blower Convenient Back Panel-Mounted Controls Two Fixed & Two Locking 4” Swivel Casters Attached Exhaust Collar for 12” Flex Duct Molded Inlet Manifold for 12” Flex Duct (Not included) HEPA-AIRE H2KMA Negative Air Machine Two export models, the H2MTF and H2MATF, are available for countries with 230-volt/50 hertz power supplies. HEPA-AIRE Model H2KM and Deluxe Model H2KMA Brochure HEPA-AIRE Negative Air Machines Performance & Specifications data sheet with side-by-side comparisons. Contact Us for more information about the HEPA-AIRE Model H2KM and H2KMA Negative Air Machines. The H1990M model has a 6” narrower cabinet then the H2KM model, with the same motor and blower and virtually identical construction Features of the HEPA-AIRE Model H1990M include: Two Operating Speeds: 1,600 CFM (High) & 1,050 CFM (Low) Weight: 125 Pounds, Including Filters 18” x 24” x 12” -Deep Certified 99.97% HEPA Filter