If you do have asbestos in your building, you cannot ignore the problem. You have a few options for keeping the issue in check, but regular monitoring of the situation will give you peace of mind that the asbestos remains safe.
If the material has a good condition and does not have any breaks or other damage, you can wait before doing anything, but keep an eye on the asbestos. Reevaluate the location regularly and move on to one of the following options if the parts sustain damage.
Should the material have some form of damage and if you do not plan to remodel soon, you can control the release of the fibers through sealing or covering. The former method uses a commercial product that creates a permanent bond between the material and the threads, so even if you cut the component, the threads do not become airborne. The more straightforward method involves physically covering the material with plastic wrap or a similar product to isolate the section from the rest of the room.
If the damage covers a small section, you may repair the area to stop the spread of fibers. Until you can schedule repairs of the location, isolate that room or portion of the building to protect workers from exposure. The EPA suggests this isolation and repair method as an option for damaged areas in education facilities to keep students and staff safe under 763.90 Response Actions of its law for asbestos in schools. You can use this recommendation in any building unless local laws have stricter requirements.
Most older buildings that have this material in their constructions, however, will eventually require renovations. If you plan to renovate sections of the building that have asbestos, removal may be the best option for you.
Only certified removal experts can take this material out of a building. They will seal off the area, preventing you from using it until their work finishes. During this time, they will cover any asbestos-containing materials before removing them from the building and properly disposing of them. Depending on the extent of the removal process, you may need to schedule it during holidays or at another time the building will not have workers in it.
Removal costs thousands of dollars, but the process makes an area safe for construction workers and those anywhere in a renovated part of the building. Depending on where you work, your local government may require you to prove that you removed or took control measures for an area that tested positive for this substance.