Asbestos Testing and Abatement in denver, cO: What Homeowners Can Expect
The production of most asbestos has been illegal in this country for more than four decades, but its presence still lingers. It is primarily found in buildings that were constructed before the 1980s. Some of the more common building materials
that contain asbestos include flooring, insulation, fireproofing materials, roofing products, and wall and ceiling materials.
Take a look at our Asbestos Resources for more general Asbestos Information, and Laws & Regulations surrounding Asbestos. >
The Danger of Asbestos Exposure
The main problem with asbestos isn’t the fact that it exists in a building. As long as it is untouched and intact, it is not necessarily unsafe and provides a minimal amount of exposure to people. The problems start when removal is attempted.
For example, if a home has popcorn ceilings and was built while asbestos was still being used for building material, this poses a danger. It’s best to call in the professionals, who can demolish the asbestos material safely to limit exposure
to this toxic substance.
People can be exposed to asbestos at work, at home, or elsewhere in the community. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny fibers of asbestos are released into the air, where they can be breathed in. This can trap the fibers in the
lungs, where they can stay for a long time and cause serious scarring. Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos might develop cancer or other diseases. Some of the symptoms that may occur include:
- Anemia or fatigue
- A persistent cough that worsens
- Blood coughed up from the lungs
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Pain or tightening in the chest
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
- Swelling of the neck or face
- Weight loss
The National Cancer Instititue has a fact sheet on asbestos that you can access here, for more information.
Professional Asbestos Abatement
When you suspect a building has asbestos materials, it’s crucial that you contact an experienced asbestos abatement contractor. They will be licensed and certified and familiar with local, state, and federal laws of safe abatement.
Once your materials are confirmed to contain asbestos, the process of asbestos abatement is a time-consuming one and includes the following:
- Developing a plan that meets all local, state, and federal laws.
- Marking the hazardous area and informing all building occupants to stay out of the area until completion and clearance testing is completed.
- Setting up a regulated work area in which air ducts are sealed and the HVAC system is disabled. The area should be sealed securely.
- Removing the material while wearing protective clothing and respirators.
- Vaccuuming with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) machines.
- Conducting a final clean with wet methods and HEPA vacuuming, then performing an independent inspection and taking a sample of clearance air.
- Cleaning the area again after the containment barriers are removed, then conducting a final inspection.
Contact the Professionals for Asbestos Testing in denver, co
If you have purchased an older home and you intend to begin home improvement projects, you should have the home tested for asbestos materials before you begin any demolition. At SC Environmental, you can count on us for asbestos testing and abatement
to be done in accordance with all laws so you can safely continue home improvement projects on your home. Don’t risk contact with this hazardous material, breath easy. Contact us for Asbestos testing today.