Whether you need remediation or abatement depends on what type of hazard you’re exposed to at your property.
When your home or commercial property exposes you to health risks, what action do you take? Two are often mentioned: abatement vs remediation. They might sound the same, but what do the two methods do and when do you use which?
Understanding the difference between abatement vs remediation is crucial for property and homeowners facing contamination issues. You might be dealing with hazardous materials like mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, or other toxic materials. These materials cause:
- Health risks to property occupants. When airborne, toxic materials like asbestos and mold can cause respiratory problems and lung cancer. Lead is linked to all kinds of health risks and can be absorbed through skin contact.
- Structural damage to your property. Mold feeds on organic materials, deteriorating structural elements. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) degrade over time due to moisture or extreme temperatures, leading to structural weaknesses.
- Decrease of property value. Buyers factor in health risks, structural defects, and underlying problems before placing an offer.
The effects of certain construction materials on your property and health are serious, but you might think it unlikely your home is affected.
But exposure to hazardous materials is more likely than you’d think. More than half of American homes were built prior to 1980 when asbestos was widely used in walls, roofs, insulation, and elsewhere, data from the US Census Bureau shows.
Mold is found in nearly half of US homes, a scientific study from 2017 showed, posing further health risks.
Both abatement and remediation are essential strategies in environmental remediation and the reduction of health hazards posed by such toxic materials.
Abatement refers to the permanent removal of a hazardous material, remediation involves a broader process of preventing future risks of that material posing any risk to your property.
This guide provides a detailed guide on both methods to help you make informed decisions about how to address potential health hazards and maintain the integrity of your property. We cover:
- What is abatement?
- What is remediation?
- Abatement vs Remediation: When to use which
- When to call in the experts
Read on for everything about abatement vs remediation.
[Don’t let hazardous materials jeopardize your health. Call Lux Restoration to get help from Long Island’s trusted professional remediation service now.]
What is abatement?
Abatement refers to the removal process of hazardous materials. This method permanently removes or encapsulates known hazardous materials to make an environment safe for its occupants.
Abatement is often used for materials used in building materials for a home or commercial property, such as asbestos or lead-based paint. The goal of abatement is to eliminate the immediate threat posed by these toxic materials.
The abatement process typically involves several key steps:
- Inspection and testing to identify the extent of contamination
- Containment of the affected area to prevent the spread of hazardous materials
- Removal or encapsulation of the toxic material
- Thorough cleaning and disposal of contaminated materials with disposal bags
- Final inspection to ensure the area is safe
What is remediation?
Remediation, on the other hand, is a broader process aimed at reversing or stopping environmental damage and limiting health risks.
Unlike remediation, which focuses only on the removal or containment of hazardous materials, remediation involves a more comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying cause to prevent the problem from recurring in the future.
Remediation services often deal with organic contaminants that can recur if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. Mold remediation is a prime example, but remediation can also apply to situations involving chemical spills, sewage cleanups, or other forms of environmental contamination.
The remediation process typically includes:
- Identifying the extent of the contamination and the underlying problem
- Containing the affected area to prevent the spread of hazardous materials
- Removing contaminated materials
- Cleaning and disinfecting the area
- Addressing the underlying source to prevent future recurrence
- Restoring the affected area to its original condition
What is the difference between abatement and remediation? When to use which
For property owners dealing with hazardous materials, understanding when to apply remediation versus abatement is key. Both processes aim to create a safer environment, but they are used in different scenarios depending on the type of contamination.
Asbestos abatement vs remediation
You have a huge health hazard on your hands once ACMs start to break down and asbestos fibers become airborne. Asbestos kills 12,000-15,000 US citizens annually, the Environmental Working Group Action Fund estimates.
But as a property owner, do you even know if you’re exposed to asbestos? While 71% of people assume their house is free of asbestos, 65% of Americans never had their home tested, a survey of The Mesothelioma Center revealed.
Instead of assuming, it’s best to determine the presence of asbestos with a professional. If detected, they can determine the best asbestos removal procedure for your property.
Asbestos abatement is the go-to approach. It includes removing or encapsulating asbestos-containing materials to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the environment. This is necessary when asbestos-containing materials are damaged, friable or pose an immediate health risk.
Asbestos remediation is a less common method, but can be used in cases where complete removal is not feasible and ongoing management is needed. Apart from removal and/or encapsulation, this approach includes a long-term remediation plan to keep the building safe from future asbestos-related hazards. This plan might involve regular inspections and maintenance to prevent the disturbance of ACMs.
Lead remediation vs abatement
When absorbed into the body due, lead can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs. Lead is also linked to all kinds of behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and seizures.
Until banned in 1978, lead-based paint (LBP) was widely used in homes and properties. This paint forms a health hazard, as deteriorated LBP forms dust and paint chips that can easily be ingested.
Shockingly, nearly 30% of US homes still feature lead-based paint today, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates. The study also showed that 15.4% of all housing units have significantly deteriorated LBP, 18.6% have dust lead hazards and 2.4 million homes 2.0% have soil lead hazards.
Lead-based paint commonly calls for an abatement approach, especially in older houses where the paint is deteriorating. Lead abatement can include removing the paint altogether or painting over the LBP with specialized paint.
Lead remediation is less common, but can be necessary in cases of lead-contaminated soil, where the focus is on the prevention of lead contamination.
Mold remediation vs abatement
Mold is a common issue in US properties. The fungal infections and health problems that result from mold exposure hospitalize over 75,000 people yearly, statistics from the CDC show.
Mold problems almost always demand remediation as opposed to abatement. That is because mold remediation not only includes mold removal, but also addresses the underlying moisture problem that allowed for mold growth in the first place.
If you’d remove mold from your crawl space without addressing the underlying cause, the mold would just return in a matter of days. Mold abatement could suffice when the mold appeared due to a water that has already been sealed – but even then it is important that the affected area is fully dried and disinfected.
When to call in the experts
In general, abatement is used for materials that were intentionally installed and can be definitively removed or contained, such as asbestos insulation or lead paint.
Remediation is typically used for contaminants that occur naturally or as a result of other issues, like mold or chemical spills.
The choice between abatement and remediation will depend on:
- The extent of the contamination
- The type of hazardous material
- The location of the contamination
- Cost considerations
- Long-term plans for the property
As a property owner, you might be tempted to attempt a DIY-solution to your contamination issue. But improper handling of ACMs and LBP can further degrade materials and release toxins into the environment. You might also overlook the underlying cause of organic materials like mold proliferating in your home. If you choose to take an DIY approach, be sure to follow EPA guidelines and wear PPE clothing.
At Lux Restoration, we have the expertise to determine whether abatement or remediation is the most appropriate approach for your specific situation. With over 17 years of experience in handling various environmental hazards on Long Island, our team will assess the contamination and provide a tailored solution to ensure the safety of your health and property.
[Is your property at risk from hazardous materials? Don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Contact Lux Restoration today for a professional assessment and tailored abatement or remediation plan.]