Do you know whats involved in asbestos-testing: Call ECOS on 888-990-5067. Asbestos is a common and natural fiber utilized in the construction of buildings for its fire resistance, insulation and durability. However, researchers have noted an increased risk of lung disease with prolonged exposure to disturbed asbestos-containing products. So, many asbestos products are now banned. You still need to consider asbestos testing when making changes to your residence or commercial building.
The use of asbestos is still legal, though restricted and regulated. Some asbestos products are still allowed in building materials, which commonly include siding and roofing shingles, vinyl floor tiles and pipe insulation, among others. Homes built before 1978 need to be tested for asbestos. If you go ahead with renovation without testing, you may put your health at risk and face fines.
What Health Risks May Occur With Asbestos Exposure?
Products that contain asbestos should not crumble. If they do, you may experience health concerns involving your lungs. When asbestos products break down and are disturbed, the thin fibers can drift throughout the air for days. When you breathe these fibers in, they attach to the lining in your lungs and can lead to serious diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
You can typically find asbestos in your siding, walls, insulation and floors. If you alter a structure built prior to 1978, you risk disturbing a significant amount of asbestos. You should always get a consultation and asbestos testing before you make alterations to your home or business.
Why Else Should You Test For Asbestos?
ECOS Environmental asbestos repair experts can tackle any asbestos removal and repair projects. You need asbestos testing if you plan to demolish a commercial or residential blending.
The state of Colorado outlines the following rules for asbestos testing for homeowners:
- Have a professional come in if removing more than 32 square feet.
- Please test if removing more than 50 linear feet.
- Test if removing more than the equivalent of one 55-gallon drum of any material besides concrete, breaks, wood or steel.
The state of Colorado outlines the following rules for asbestos testing for commercial clients:
- Have a professional come in and test if removing more than 160 square feet.
- Please test if removing more than 260 linear feet.
- Test if removing more than the equivalent of one 55-gallon drum of any material besides concrete, breaks, wood or steel.
How Asbestos Testing Works
Don’t start renovating if you have concerns regarding asbestos. It’s better to be safe, especially when you’re working with cracking or crumbling walls. General wear-and-tear can also mean damage to asbestos. Those dangerous fibers could cause serious harm to your health when released into the air. You may be wondering how the process works.
ECOS Environmental takes samples for analysis to see if they contain ACM — a nice acronym that stands for asbestos-containing materials. This first phase determines if you need an abatement, completely removing all disturbed asbestos-containing materials. A non-detect result does not require an abatement. However, if the test comes back between zero and one percent, then ECOS Environmental will go ahead with an OSHA abatement. If the results are over one percent, we will need to obtain a permit from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment for a Regulation 8 abatement.
Asbestos Testing: It’s Better to Know
You need asbestos testing to identify the presence of ACM. Keep in mind that materials containing asbestos are generally safe if not disturbed or damaged. It’s better to know for sure than deal with the health consequences later.
Find out the “erected on” date the building to learn about the possibility of it having ACM. Once again, any structure built before 1978 necessitates getting tested for asbestos.
Still feeling doubtful? It’s best to contact the qualified professionals at ECOS Environmental to take samples and analyze them.
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