Asbestos

Asbestos has a deadly reputation, but many people barely understand why the toxic mineral is dangerous.

Some people may think it is a chemical that gets in our food or be absorbed through the skin, like certain pesticides. Or some worry they will get sick just by being close to the asbestos-containing product.

Don’t panic it is not radioactive!

The truth, dangerous exposure happens when someone inhales or swallows asbestos dust. When its fibers become airborne that’s when asbestos gets nasty! If your asbestos-containing materials are in good condition, it might be a better option to leave them be than to replace them outright.  If the materials are crumbling, breaking, or deteriorating. Then replaced with a safer alternative afterward is suggested.

No amount of exposure to asbestos dust is considered healthy and precaution should always be used around its dust.  However, most health complications are related to many years of regular exposure.  A brief encounter with Asbestos will not require you to spend the co-pay.

 LONG TERM EXPOSURE?

If you develop respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms that progress and do not go away on their own, you should go see your family physician. Tell your doctor about your history of asbestos exposure and ask them to screen you for related diseases.

TOP 10 ASBESTOS LOCATIONS

1. VINYL SHEET & TILE FLOORING.
2. THERMAL FIREPROOF BUILDING MATERIALS
3. OFFICE CEILING TILES / LAY-IN PANELS
4. ELECTRICAL INSULATION (CLOTH, PARTITIONS, DUCTS)
5. CLASSROOM CHALKBOARDS
6. SPRAY-APPLIED OR BLOWN-IN INSULATION
7. PLASTER ACOUSTICAL & DECORATIVE
8. ROOFING MATERIALS (SHINGLES, FELT)
9. PIPING AND DUCT INSULATION (HVAC, HEATING, ETC)
10. TEXTURED PAINTS & COATINGS

Simply put, You can’t. It’s impossible to tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it.

Any asbestos-containing material should be labeled ASBESTOS.

If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional like Environmental Management Specialists, Inc. A professional should take samples for analysis since a professional knows what to look for and there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released. If done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not recommended. Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left alone. Only material that is damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled.

If the building material is in good shape and will not be disturbed, do nothing! If it is a problem, there are two types of corrections: repair and removal. 

Repairing asbestos usually involves either sealing or covering building material.

Sealing (encapsulation) involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibers together, coating the material preventing fibers from being released. Pipe, furnace, and boiler insulation can sometimes be repaired this way. To ensure safety, this should be done only by trained professionals, or just give EMS a call!

Covering (enclosure)requires placing something over or around the material that contains asbestos preventing the release of fibers. Exposed insulated piping may be covered with a protective wrap or jacket.

With any type of repair, the asbestos remains in place. Repair is usually cheaper than removal, however, it may make later removal more costly.

If the asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in your building is in good condition, you do not have to remove them unless you expect the materials to be disturbed. However, if the ACM is not in good condition, appears damaged or disturbance of construction activities deteriorate the ACM.

You will need to contact a licensed and accredited asbestos building inspector, project designer, and/or abatement contractor to test/remove these ACM’s.  For all Asbestos-related situations, please contact your local experts at EMS. (260)637-9414

• Polyurethane foam: A cheap and effective for insulation. For families with members who have allergies, foam is a particularly effective solution, as the water-based foam creates an incredibly tight seal, reducing the chance of dust and mold spreading. Most typically, polyurethane foam is used in roofing applications.
• Amorphous silica fabric: A high-quality cloth woven from nearly pure amorphous silica fibers. Like asbestos, the fibers do not rot or burn. While the materials have found success in aerospace, shipyards, and power-generating scenarios, they’re not typically used in residential applications.
• Cellulose fiber: Typically made from cotton, wood pulp, linen, or shredded paper that is chemically treated to enhance its properties. The recycled content of products made with cellulose fiber can be anywhere from 5-15%, making it one of the greenest substitutes available!
• Thermoset plastic flour: Made of a mixture of wood fibers and binders, such as egg or gelatin, which is hardened and then finely ground. It’s effective at insulating both heat and cold & is recognized for its ability to block out a sound.

Because every situation is different, at EMS we offer FREE quotes for asbestos abatement & remediation.

We will also be happy to let you know what you can and can’t do yourself!

Please give us a call for any of your questions at (260) 637-9414, you may also e-mail any inquiries to [email protected].