Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral fiber used in building construction for its strength, fire resistance, and insulation properties. Due to increased risks of lung disease, many asbestos products have been banned.
Today, asbestos use is highly regulated and restricted. However, some products are still used in building materials. Common products that contain asbestos include but are not limited to pipe insulation, roofing and siding shingles, textured paint patching compounds, vinyl floor tiles, etc.
If your home was built prior to 1978 and you are thinking about updating ,be sure to have all materials tested for asbestos content. If your contractor has not tested the materials prior to rennovation work, they could be putting your health at risk and they could be charged a heavy fine.
Contact us today before you renovate 303-444-5253.
Health Effects
If products containing asbestos do not crumble and are not exposed, health risks are considered negligible; however, that changes when the products break down or are sanded and break down into microscopically thin fibers. These fibers are so small and light that they can remain airborne for days after being initially disturbed. When asbestos fibers are airborne, people and pets can breathe these small fibers in, where they will attach to the lining of their lungs causing serious diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos Testing
You cannot tell whether a material contains asbestos by looking at it, unless it is labeled. When in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional.
- When an asbestos suspected building material is disturbed
- Before any renovations on property built before 1978
- Before any demolition work on property built before 1978
- If you live in a house or apartment building built before 1978
- If you are buying, selling or renting a premise built before 1978
How RDS Will Help
- Conduct a site survey to identify asbestos-containing materials
- Provide sampling, sending the samples to an accredited laboratory
- Provide a comprehensive report on our findings
- Determine if there is a health concern and if professional remediation is warranted
Contact RDS Environmental to find out more about our asbestos testing services.
