What does encapsulation in asbestos management involve?

Encapsulation in asbestos management involves sealing asbestos-containing materials to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air. This technique is crucial for maintaining safety when removal is not feasible or when the materials are in good condition and pose minimal risk of disturbance. By sealing the surfaces of the materials with appropriate encapsulants, it reduces the potential for exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, thereby protecting workers, building occupants, and the surrounding environment.

This method is often chosen because it can be less disruptive compared to removal, which involves more extensive hazard controls and can disturb the asbestos material, leading to the very release of fibers that encapsulation seeks to prevent. Monitoring and labeling play supportive roles in overall asbestos management, but the act of encapsulation specifically focuses on directly mitigating exposure risk by containing the hazard.