Asbestos fibers are microscopic in size and extremely resilient to fire and other sorts of harm. Because of this, this material has been utilized in homes and businesses for many years. Sadly, asbestos also has a number of known health hazards. Additionally, mesothelioma, a dangerous disease that can attack the linings of the heart, lungs, and abdomen, has been connected to it. This is just one of many factors to take into account when thinking about residential or commercial asbestos abatement, a procedure best left in the hands of organizations like e.h.c. Associates that have the knowledge and tools required to properly manage asbestos removal.
Your House Was Constructed Prior To 1975
Asbest was often utilized in home construction from the early 1940s until the 1970s. If your house was constructed around this time period, asbestos may be present in some areas you would not have thought to check. You may be aware that blown-in attic insulation frequently included asbestos, but older homes—including those that have had several renovations since the 1970s—may also contain a variety of additional asbestos-containing materials. In many cases, sources of asbestos that have been overlooked or hidden might pose a health risk. These are a few of the frequently disregarded sources of home asbestos:
- Linoleum tiles
- Several linoleum types
- The glue applied to your wooden flooring
- The insulation used in ducts for HVAC systems
- Plaster
- Roofing and siding supplies
- Caulking and glazing for windows
Prior To 1978, Your Ceilings Were Installed
The United States outlawed the use of asbestos in textured ceiling paint in 1977. You can have asbestos-containing ceilings in your company, even if they have been refurbished or painted multiple times since then. This is particularly true if your new ceiling only disguised your old one. Just because the asbestos-containing older ceiling is hidden from view doesn’t mean fibers and dangerous particles aren’t still finding their way into your ductwork and into the air that everyone in your house or place of business breathes.
Older Commercial Buildings In Your Area Could Contain “hidden” Asbestos
Asbestos was often employed in commercial buildings up until the 1970s. In your business premises, there can be some remaining asbestos sources. Possible asbestos sources for commercial buildings built between the 1940s and the early 1970s include:
- Pipes and pipe covers made of cement
- Containers for corrosive chemicals
- Products for roofing, such as sealants and coatings
- Thermostats and boilers
- Dated laboratory equipment
- Electrical wiring conduits
Health Risks From Asbestos
It’s not necessarily dangerous only to have asbestos in your house. Asbestos fibers and particles won’t often be released into the air by items that are still in good condition. Disturbing these materials might occasionally introduce a risk that wasn’t there before. It is time to think about asbestos abatement when sources of asbestos are worn out or destroyed. There are additional potential health hazards linked to asbestos exposure than mesothelioma, such as:
- Inflammation of the lungs (asbestosis)
- Lung illnesses like pleural diseases that are not malignant
- Chest cancer
- Decreased immune system response
- Respiratory conditions
Diy Asbestos Removal Risks
There are various reasons why you need to remove asbestos, whether you’ve just seen evidence of worn or damaged asbestos materials or you’re about to do a significant repair. However, performing the work on your own has extra dangers including unexpected exposure to harmful fibers and unintentional asbestos particle diffusion.
Experts at e.h.c. Associates have the tools and know-how necessary to remove asbestos safely from any location in your home or place of business. Our Asbestos Removal service involves careful removal and post-removal testing to make sure no residual fibers or particles are present in your interior areas.
Evaluation Of Asbestos
Identifying if there are asbestos-containing items in your house or place of business is the first step in any asbestos-related projects. Asbestos testing is the most practical method for accomplishing this. The most popular methods for determining if asbestos is present in the air are sample analysis and air monitoring. Asbestos in construction materials should be identified using polarized light microscopy, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The method entails separating the fibers from a sample. Based on test findings, we may assist with paperwork and other procedures necessary for safely removing ACMs when it’s time for asbestos abatement (asbestos-containing materials).
