With chrysotile asbestos finally being prohibited by the US EPA, all forms of asbestos are no longer used in or imported to the United States – unfortunately, asbestos is still contained within many buildings and it’s certainly possible that your home or commercial property contains it as well. From a health and safety standpoint, asbestos removal is of the highest importance, and we’re here to tell you that there’s no time to wait!
With years of experience serving Northern Colorado, ensuring complete compliance with all state, OSHA, and EPA regulations, Xtract Environmental Services has helped countless families and businesses uphold the safety of their properties. From the asbestos removal experts, what follows is a comprehensive guide to the importance of asbestos abatement and the key role of a professional asbestos remover.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos minerals are found in certain types of rocks and soil. These metamorphic-derived minerals have long, thin fibers that are strong and flexible enough to be woven and spun, making asbestos a useful material in many commercial products, including:
- Coatings
- Insulation
- Fireproofing materials
- Roofing and ceiling materials
- Automotive brakes, clutches, and transmissions
- Paper products
- Asbestos cement products
- Packaging materials
The Dangers of Asbestos
It’s important to be aware that asbestos exposure is dangerous. Asbestos is most commonly found in building materials, not only in homes but in commercial buildings like schools and workplaces, which increases the risk of exposure further due to close proximity.
Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling. In general, exposure may occur only when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air, and this exposure can lead to a plethora of negative health effects, including serious diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis that will develop years after exposure.
Considerations for Asbestos Removal
It’s clear that building materials and other products that utilize asbestos are a serious health threat. In order to prevent the possibility of accidental exposure to asbestos, it is therefore critical to have it removed from the premises without delay and disallow its use at your property going forward. The question becomes, how is asbestos removed?
DIY vs. Professional
If you need to disturb materials in your home that might contain asbestos (such as sanding, cutting, or drilling) or need to remove asbestos-identified products themselves, you can either carry out the project on your own or with the help of a professional. First and foremost, we want to emphasize again that asbestos is extremely dangerous and can only be removed safely if you know what you’re doing and have the expert supplies and tools to do so. Not only can you save time and money by working with a professional asbestos remediation company (by not having to invest in your own equipment and training), but you can guarantee your own health, safety, and future comfort as well that only comes with the results of an expert hand. The cost and time savings matched with peace of mind that you and your property are safely protected by the work of a professional are undoubtedly worth the investment.
Professional Assessment
Generally, a visual inspection of your home is usually not sufficient to determine if it contains asbestos. Alternatively, samples of suspected asbestos materials should be sent to a certified laboratory for analysis and for accurate detection, such as through a Certified Industrial Hygienist. Whether asbestos is contained or removed from your home, it is important that you choose a competent professional who is certified to do Colorado asbestos abatement work.
Many home repair or remodeling contractors do not have this special certification, so be sure that the abatement service you choose has completed a federal or state-approved asbestos safety course and training, and has a General Abatement Contractors license as well. The process of asbestos removal (for indoor environments) usually involves a pre-clean of all surfaces, the construction of a containment chamber to prevent contamination, abatement of the asbestos material, a post-clean of all surfaces (including air clearance), the deconstruction of the containment chamber, and finally the disposal of hazardous waste.
Asbestos removal is a complex process, making it even more important to hire a professional who can guarantee that the job will be completed safely and efficiently.
Hire Experts in Asbestos Removal
Secure the future health and safety of your property by investing in professional asbestos removal. If left undisturbed, asbestos will not be harmful, but any type of accidental disturbance can unleash the severe risks it poses. At Xtract Environmental Service, rest with peace of mind that your property is cared for to the highest professional and governmental standards – contact us today to learn more about asbestos removal or to learn more about why our clients love working with us!