Asbestos was used in many building products from the early 1950s through the 1970s because it is strong, inexpensive, a good insulator, and resistant to water and chemicals.
In the late 1970s, asbestos was linked to a variety of diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other respiratory conditions. It is no longer produced in the U.S. or used in construction. In fact, most major insurance carriers have eliminated asbestos coverage (including testing) from their policies.
Asbestos is still found in many imported products and is also common in buildings constructed earlier than 1990. If you are remodeling a home that was built before then or one that has popcorn ceilings, you should definitely have it tested. Popcorn ceilings usually (not always) contain asbestos. Asbestos abatement may also be necessary due to fire or water damage.
The Impact of Asbestos on Health
You are right to be concerned if you have discovered asbestos in your home or business. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all types of asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovaries, and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs). Asbestos exposure occurs through inhalation of fibers in working environments and indoor air in housing and buildings that contain asbestos materials.
Studies conducted by the Mesothelioma Center show that approximately 90,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases globally each year, and a 2018 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reports that for every 20 tons of asbestos produced and consumed, a person dies of an asbestos-related disease somewhere in the world.
This is why home and business owners immediately search for “asbestos abatement or removal near me” when they discover the presence of asbestos.
How We Can Help
If you learn that you have asbestos in your home or place of business, you need our asbestos removal service so you can eliminate it and have the peace of mind that you are protecting yourself, your family, and your employees.
Once we verify that asbestos is in your home or business, we recommend encapsulation or asbestos abatement depending on the condition of the materials, and provide a written work plan that specifies what removal and cleanup methods we will use.
Our technicians wear full-face mask N-100 or P-100 respirators and coveralls, adhere to decontamination protocols, and safely dispose of all carcinogenic materials according to state and federal regulations. If encapsulation is sufficient, our technicians will coat the materials with a sealant to prevent fibers from becoming airborne. If the damage is advanced and severe, we will completely remove the harmful materials using the following asbestos abatement procedure:
Once we are finished, we do NOT simply promise you that we did a good job and ask you to trust us. We engage an independent Industrial Hygienist or Air Quality Specialist to check our work and verify that the asbestos is gone and the area is safe.
What to Do if You Discover Asbestos
If you discover asbestos in your home or business, contact us immediately. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and possibly ovarian and laryngeal cancers.