Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used since the early 1900s for its heat, chemical resistance, and insulating properties. In years past, manufacturers wove asbestos into fabric; used it in attic insulation, floor tile, surface coatings, and pipe wrapping; and mixed it with cement. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health problems, including scarring and inflammation of the lungs, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. To ensure the safety of your property and prevent exposure to this dangerous mineral, schedule an asbestos inspection.
You cannot identify asbestos simply by looking at it. Plus, with asbestos being so common, readily available, and cheap, it is commonly used in literally thousands of building products. Asbestos is highly regulated, and the release and exposure of asbestos to employees or workers contracted to conduct projects carries high liability. Hire an asbestos inspector to examine your property, test samples, and provide an evaluation describing the location and extent of the damage.
EWI commonly performs asbestos inspections prior to renovation and demolition projects where the potential for disturbance or release of asbestos-containing materials (ACM or ACMs) can occur. To avoid these unknown liabilities and stay in compliance with U.S. EPA, State, and other Federal laws, it is important to have a certified asbestos inspector determine, locate, quantify, and sample all possible asbestos prior to the commencement of renovation and demolition projects.
The U.S. EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulates renovation and demolition projects. The purpose of NESHAP is to protect workers, citizens, and building occupants from exposure to asbestos during demolition and renovation projects.
Introduced by the EPA in 1989, the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule sought to completely ban the use of asbestos product in the United States. In 1991, however, the ban was challenged and overturned.
Although tougher regulations on asbestos exist because of these actions, asbestos has yet to be banned in the United States. In fact, it is still legal to import today. Asbestos can be used in common applications like drywall mud, floor tile, floor glue, and various types of insulation.
With the widespread use of asbestos in the past, the possible remaining amount still out there, and the continued use of asbestos in products today, asbestos inspections remain critically important. Schedule a certified asbestos inspection today to find out if the removal of regulated materials could delay your project or present a liability if disturbed.
To get started, please contact Environmental Works, Inc. Our Environmental Due Diligence team includes licensed and accredited lead-based paint (LBP) and asbestos-containing material (ACM) inspectors. These qualified individuals can perform building surveys and material sampling in accordance with all applicable standards and guidelines. Afterward, they will quantify the extent and condition of the LBP or ACM for abatement considerations. To learn more about our LBP and ACM surveys, please give us a call at 417-890-9500.
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