Abstract: A method for removing asbestos-containing materials from substrates including a nozzle assembly for directing streams of pressurized steam to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders therein so that the material can be easily dislodged from the substrate by a second stream of higher pressure steam. The nozzle assembly also includes a suction device having an inlet opening arranged adjacent steam ejection nozzles to draw-in asbestos particles and fibers entrained by the steam directed onto the asbestos-containing materials.