A method of asbestos detoxification in which an asbestos-containing waste
material in any form is made harmless while preventing asbestos particles
or dust from flying or scattering. The asbestos content can be easily
reduced in a short time to 0.1 wt. % or lower, which is prescribed by the
Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. The waste can be perfectly made
harmless. Also provided is an aqueous solution for asbestos
detoxification which is for use in the method. The method of asbestos
detoxification comprises: bringing an asbestos-containing waste material
into contact with an aqueous treating solution containing at least one
fluoride ion source selected from the group consisting of the fluorides
of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and ammonia and hydrofluoric
acid and further containing at least one mineral acid selected from the
group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid so
that the aqueous treating solution has a pH of 1 or lower; and allowing
the resultant mixture to stand or stirring it while adding the mineral
acid so as to keep the pH of the aqueous treating solution at 1 or lower.
Thus, the asbestos in the asbestos-containing waste material is made
harmless.