Asbestos Surveys and Abatement Services
Asbestos is a term used to describe a number of naturally occurring silicate minerals. For many years, asbestos was added to a variety of building materials to enhance the materials strength, flexibility, and fire resistance.
Asbestos takes the form of fibrous needle like structures that can be reduced to microscopic size when disturbed. If these fibers are inhaled, they can become imbedded in the lungs, esophagus and stomach. These imbedded fibers, over time, can cause diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Therefore, there are laws and regulations requiring that asbestos containing materials (ACM) be identified and managed, including conducting surveys, inspections and abatement.
Asbestos surveys are performed to assess and quantify the presence of ACM. A typical survey includes collecting and analyzing samples of building materials that have the potential to contain asbestos. In the case of renovations, only those areas that will be impacted by the work require sampling. Asbestos surveys are required for many different reasons, including:
- Obtaining a commercial or residential renovation/demolition building permit
- Obtaining loans or securing credit
- Obtaining and maintaining insurance policies
- Ensuring a safe work or living environment
- Complying with environmental and health & safety (EHS) laws and regulations
Inspections are required if known ACM is being left in place and managed. Inspections are performed to periodically evaluate the condition of the ACM to ensure that it hasn’t been damaged and that it remains in a safe condition.
If ACM is found to be damaged during a survey or inspection, the ACM must be abated by repairing, encapsulating, barricading, or removing the material. In the case of demolition or renovation projects, the ACM must be removed.
Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) approach to asbestos surveys, inspections and abatement is not only to provide cost effective solutions on a project specific basis, but to also ensure the health and safety of all potentially affected individuals and to mitigate the amount of disruption to normal activities and operations.