Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Will a TriStar (with HEPA motor & exhaust filter + micron bags) be good for picking up asbestos, lead dust or anything hazardous?  I'm remodeling my house & plan to vacuum up the dust but don't know if its safe.

I just wouldn't! Any HEPA filter can be ignited with any kind of material that ignites easily. Although  Asbestos is non- flammable and non-combustible, lead dust is flammable and I wouldn't take chances, particularly as lead is a very fine dust and can tear through the paper pleated filter HEPA type on the Tristar and through to the motor.

hooverman wrote:

No.  Asbestos and plaster dust are two of the most insidious forms of matter that you can attack with a vacuum cleaner.  A regular household vacuum is not the answer no matter how brilliant the makers claims may sound.  Plaster dust can actially get into electrical switches, etc.,  and cause them to short. 

Asbestos is worse in that not only is it very fine material that is easy to set airborne but is a known carcinogen and can be harmful to health in other ways.  Thorough training as to how to go about removing and containing asbestos loaded material is required. Knowledge of local regaulations in regard to its disposal are also in line. 

An ounce of prevention saves a pound cure.  The least risky, simpler and best course to follow is to call in a properly licensed service  for asbestos removal and let them do the job.  Otherwise, you stand in line to jeopardize not only your own health but that of your family's.  It is irresponsible to tell you otherwise.

Venson

Hooverman,

   The answer to your question is NO , NO, NO. Currently there is a new law that requires people cleaning and prepping old houses that are past a certain age and could have lead paint and other contaniments in it must have a HEPA vacuum used. These cleaners must meet the recommended  requrements of the EPA and Tristar will not. Also you must be certified to do that type of work, not do it yourself. That is fore your safety. A big fine could be levied if you are caught.

                                                                                                         Procare.

As a construction professional trained in asbestos abatement, I can tell you that the general procedure for asbestos cleanup of qualified material is wetting following by removal via a sealed wet/dry vacuum with a HEPA filter. The vacuum can be portable, but is often a vehicle-mounted (i.e. heavy-duty).