Federal and state laws set strict guidelines and regulations regarding activities that can expose humans to asbestos-containing-materials. But laws are not the most important reasons to test for asbestos; people are. And Enviocore is the fastest, most reliable way to get test results fast.
Asbestos Exposure Health Risks
Asbestos exposure can put people at risk for deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. These diseases develop slowly, but are eventually fatal in all instances.
In previous years, most patients didn’t know they were exposed to a dangerous carcinogen, so they only sought medical treatment when they began to experience symptoms years later in advanced stages of their ailments. A shipyard worker exposed to asbestos insulation for years develops a bad cough around retirement, is subsequently diagnosed with mesothelioma and dies a year later.
Eventually, research leading to early screening has lead to better outcomes for patients exposed to asbestos. The key to successful treatment is early detection, so if you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos fibers, consult medical assistance for screening.
How can I tell if my property contains asbestos?
Asbestos is banned for most construction uses, but it can still be found in older structures and a number of products. Some places to suspect the presence of materials containing asbestos include:
- Buildings constructed before 1990.
- Textured paint, sheetrock, popcorn ceilings.
- Roofing and siding materials.
- Insulation, especially in older structures. Notably, Zonolite Attic Insulation containing vermiculite.
- Artificial fireplace fixtures and logs.
- Protective material on walls and floors near stoves and furnaces.
- Floor and wall tiles.
- Pipe coatings and insulations.
- Furnace door and pipe gaskets.
How do I tell if materials contain asbestos?
The naked eye cannot identify asbestos. If you think you’re dealing with asbestos, treat the material as if it is confirmed as asbestos. Don’t try to take samples or perform testing yourself. You run the risk of damaging and disturbing hazardous asbestos fibers, increasing your exposure to the dangerous material and that of your family or employees and customers. Enlist a professional asbestos testing expert who can safely and accurately verify the presence of asbestos.
If I have asbestos, what should I do?
In many cases, asbestos can be left in place, as long as it is in good repair and will not be disturbed. If asbestos-containing material is deteriorated or you plan to disturb or remove it, you should consult an asbestos testing and remediation professional. Be aware that state and federal laws regulate the removal and disposal of asbestos.*
Other options for asbestos mitigation include sealing or covering it. A binding agent can be applied to asbestos-containing materials, encapsulating the fibers and preventing them from being released. Covering asbestos-containing material with a protective material or sleeve can also prevent the release of dangerous fibers. Sealing or covering materials containing asbestos should only be performed by a properly trained and equipped professional.
If you remove asbestos yourself, be sure to use breathing protection that is rated to filter asbestos fibers, take precautions to isolate the work area and restrict the potential spread of asbestos fibers. Also check laws and regulations.*
Can I remove asbestos myself?
Federal and state laws allow for homeowners to mitigate asbestos themselves as long as the home is not used for commercial purposes. According to the law it’s your business if you want to expose yourself and your family to dangerous asbestos, but the line is drawn at exposing others.
If you have confirmed asbestos in your home, make sure you comply with asbestos laws and regulations regarding the removal and disposal of asbestos before you begin any demolition or remodeling project.*
If you plan to do the work yourself, ensure that you use breathing protection that is rated to filter asbestos fibers and take precautions to isolate the work area and restrict the potential spread of asbestos fibers.
You can learn more about asbestos regulations in the “More info” section below, or call Enviocore anytime, with questions.
REMEMBER: Colorado’s Regulation No. 8, Part B requires property owners to test for asbestos any time more than 32 sq. ft. of drywall or flooring is removed.
More:
EPA Asbestos Regulations and Laws
CDPHE: Dangerous and Illegal to Disturb Asbestos Containing Materials
Why Choose Us?
WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT OUR WORK
We’ll show up at your door with a smile and treat you like a new friend. But be assured that we’re all business when it comes to delivering professional testing and consulting services.
FAST, ACCURATE TEST RESULTS. VERY FAST.
For any environmental testing to be meaningful, much less valuable, you need the results to be reliable and fast. If it takes until mold spores become visible over a large area to get positive mold contamination test results, those results aren’t really “news.” They’re “olds.”
WE TREAT YOUR FAMILY AND BUSINESS LIKE OURS
We never forget that our business is about people. Protecting people from hazards. When we enter your home or business, we consider how we would want to protect our home or business.
