Technologies and procedures for the removal of asbestoscement pipes

Asbestos-containing materials have been widely used worldwide. In the past, considerable attention has been given to their removal, primarily focusing on the ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) with higher risk and/or greater abundance. Although they constitute significant percentages of the total (in Italy about 10% of the pipes for drinking water are made of asbestos cement) there are still no specific standardized technologies and procedures for the removal of buried asbestos cement pipes, used for water, sewage and gas networks, among others. This work will describe new technologies and procedures for their safe removal. Specifically, the paper will outline a systematic set of procedures and guidelines to follow for the safe removal/maintenance of buried asbestos cement pipes to ensure maximum protection for workers and the surrounding living environment. Such products are not inherently a primary source of health hazard when buried, intact, and still in place, as the main health risk associated with asbestos is inhalation. However, they can pose a risk during removal or maintenance activities that involve their partial or total exposure to ambient air, with the potential release of asbestos fibers into the atmosphere. This is particularly true when the external surface of the product is degraded, even partially, leading to the disintegration of the cement matrix and the release of fibers, or when the pipes are cut and/or handled incorrectly. As a result, hazardous situations may arise for workers and/or for the surrounding living environment if specific prevention and safety measures are not adopted. This paper will present safety guidelines to enhance worker protection. Additionally, an overview concerning issues and preliminary evidences from a monitoring campaign conducted during the removal of asbestos cement pipes using trenchless technologies will be provided to highlight the advantages and associated risks of this technique, that still require validation for ACM due to the lack of specific regulations.