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services  asbestos

asbestos
Asbestos is a small mineral fiber that was added to many common household building materials to provide strength, heat insulation or fire proofing. Medical studies have shown an association between exposure to asbestos and various respiratory diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma (cancer associated with the lining of the lungs) and cancer. The primary exposure route is through inhalation and direct contact of the asbestos fibers with the lung tissue. Asbestos became a popular commercial building product because it is noncombustible, resistant to corrosion, has a high strength and low electrical and thermal conductivity. Since the 1900’s asbestos fibers have been mixed with various binding materials to create an estimated 3,000 different commercial products. The amount of asbestos contained in these products ranges from 1 to 100 percent.

Common household building materials that may contain asbestos include:
  • Steam pipes for heating units and boilers
  • Decorative textured ceiling plaster
  • Vinyl and linoleum flooring
  • A/C and furnace duct insulation and tape
  • Roofing materials including tiles, felts and shingles
  • Fire proofing
  • Sound proofing
  • Wall joint compound and seam tape
  • Cement sheeting and millboard used as insulation around furnaces and fire places


    • The main hazard of asbestos results when the asbestos containing building material is damaged releasing fibers that can become airborne. The fibers measuring from 0.1 to 10u (micron) in length, are not generally visible to the human eye. Once released, the tiny asbestos fibers can remain airborne for many hours or until they are inhaled or settle out. Once inhaled, many of the asbestos fibers will lodge permanently in the lungs. Asbestos related diseases, sometimes not appearing until 20 to 30 years after contact, can result from brief contact but are more commonly are associated with prolonged exposure. Asbestos exposure in children is a special concern since they have a greater remaining lifespan and as a result their risk of developing cancer is greater.

    The EPA recommends that if you suspect that asbestos may be present within your home that you do not disturb it. The only way to verify if you do have asbestos is to perform a survey by a qualified inspector. The actual identification of asbestos can only be determined through the collection of samples of the suspect material and laboratory analysis using a Polarized Light Microscope (PLM Method). Because the survey includes disturbance of the material only trained personnel should be allowed to collect samples.

    If asbestos is identified in your home the condition of the materials should be assessed to determine if the material can be safely managed in-place or does the risk of exposure warrant removal. Again only trained personnel should be allowed to make such a determination.