Ridding the World of Asbestos Waste

12 Mar 2025

While the deadly material that is asbestos was outlawed at the end of the 1990s, it remains as big a danger as ever. According to the European Commission, the EU contains more than 100 million tonnes of it still exists. In fact, it’s still being mined in certain parts of the world. 1.3 m tonnes were mined in 2022 alone, with most coming from Kazakhstan and Russia. 

As such, there is much asbestos waste created, not to mention the huge amounts of asbestos that lie hidden in buildings and water pipes across the globe. As such, a range of asbestos disposal techniques are being developed to neutralise or repurpose it.

They include the following:

• Phytoremediation: This method uses plants to absorb asbestos fibres, reducing contamination in the soil.

• In Situ Immobilisation: Here, asbestos fibres are stabilised in the ground, preventing them from becoming airborne.

• Mechanical Milling: Asbestos fibres are broken down into non-toxic materials through physical processes.

• Safe Removal & Containment: This process involves properly trained professionals carrying out asbestos removal and safely containing it. 

• Thermal and Chemical Treatments: In this case, asbestos is neutralised with chemicals, turning it into harmless materials.

• Recycling Technologies: Advanced recycling methods can also be used to convert asbestos into useful materials.

These techniques offer promising solutions for the asbestos waste issue, but their adoption is still in progress, primarily due to the costs, technical challenges, and need for further research and infrastructure development. However, as awareness of asbestos risks increases, these methods may become more widely used to address the problem.

Working to Protect Irish People From the Dangers of Asbestos

The ongoing battle to protect people in Ireland and the wider world against the dangers of this often lethal material is far from over, despite it being banned in many countries. However, necessity is the mother of invention and these innovative techniques provide hope. 

At OHSS, we’ve been helping Irish businesses protect themselves from the dangers of asbestos since 2001, while also providing expertise in occupational hygiene. To find out more about what we can do for you, visit us today at www.ohss.ie. Alternatively, to speak to our team directly, call us on 01 6905907 today.

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