Composition for wetting and encapsulating asbestos and method of using

Abstract

A substantially nonthixotropic composition capable of minimizing the amount of airborne asbestos particles released during removal of asbestos from a structural unit and encapsulating the removed asbestos to permanently prevent the release of airborne asbestos particles. The composition includes (i) a major proportion of water, (ii) a nonionic-surfactant-stabilized latex, such as a latex of styrene butyl rubber, having a viscosity of less than about 300 cps and a maximum particle size of less than about 0.4 microns, (iii) sufficient nonionic surfactant to reduce the surface tension of the composition to less than about 40 dynes per cm, and (iv) a cationic surfactant. Optionally, the composition may further include a defoamant, a corrosion inhibitor, a pH buffering agent, a freezing point depressant and/or a dye.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.