What is the safest method to cut asbestos-containing materials?

Using water to wet the material is the safest method to cut asbestos-containing materials. Wetting asbestos helps to minimize the release of hazardous dust and fibers, which are the primary health concerns associated with asbestos exposure. When asbestos-containing materials are dry, cutting them can create a significant amount of dust that can be inhaled, leading to serious health risks.

By applying water, the fibers become less likely to become airborne, creating a much safer working environment. This method also facilitates a cleaner cut without generating excessive debris.

Other practices, such as using power tools dry, can create high levels of airborne fibers and are considered dangerous. Similarly, breaking materials apart with a hammer not only risks dispersing asbestos fibers into the air but also damages the integrity of the material further, increasing contamination risks. Allowing materials to sit undisturbed is a method for handling intact materials but does not address the cutting process when work is required.