Asbestos Testing and Remediation: Safeguarding Your Health and Property

Asbestos might sound like a thing of the past, but it is very much a real and ongoing threat. Asbestos, a mineral fiber, has been mined and widely used throughout history to add strength, heat insulation, and fire resistance to thousands of products, until the 1970s, when it was discovered to be a major health hazard and its use was curtailed and banned in a number of countries. It is now understood to be a hazardous air pollutant and known airborne carcinogen when fibers are released into the air and inhaled into the lungs.

Asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and can cause serious respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Despite its health hazards, products containing asbestos are still manufactured and sold in the United States today, and there are hundreds of thousands of buildings still standing that have asbestos-containing materials within them. The only building materials that do not require laboratory testing to verify if asbestos is present are glass, metal, and wood.

If you own or manage a property that was built before the 1980s, it is possible that it contains asbestos-containing materials. These materials can include floor tiles, ceiling tiles, insulation, roofing materials, and more. If these materials are in good condition and are not disturbed, they may not pose a health hazard. However, if they are damaged or disturbed in any way, asbestos fibers can become airborne and be easily inhaled.

That’s why it’s important to have your property tested for asbestos and, if necessary, have any asbestos-containing materials removed or encapsulated by a professional asbestos abatement company like National First Response.

Asbestos Testing

Asbestos testing involves taking samples of suspect materials and analyzing them in a laboratory to determine if they contain asbestos. It is essential that this process is only done by a licensed asbestos inspector, as an inexperienced inspector can disturb the materials and actually release asbestos fibers into the air. If asbestos is found, the next step is to determine the best course of action for removing or encapsulating the material.

Asbestos removal involves physically removing the material from your property and disposing of it in a special landfill. This is a complex process that must be done by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. The process involves sealing off the affected area, wearing protective clothing and equipment, and using specialized tools and techniques to remove the asbestos-containing materials without releasing fibers into the air. Again, this is a project that should be left to the pros, and not undertaken by an enthusiastic homeowner. Once the material is removed, the area must be thoroughly cleaned and tested to ensure that all asbestos fibers have been removed.

Encapsulation is a process that involves sealing the asbestos-containing material in a special coating that prevents fibers from being released into the air. This is often a less expensive and less disruptive option than removal, especially if the material is in good condition and not likely to be disturbed.

Asbestos testing and remediation is a vital step in protecting the health of your family, employees, or tenants and ensuring the overall safety of your property. Although disheartening, it is also important to remember that, while asbestos-containing materials may be found in older buildings, they are still being manufactured and sold today. This means that it’s important to choose building materials carefully and work with professionals who are trained in asbestos awareness and safety, be it for a home improvement project, roofing, or any other contractor service.

At National First Response, we take asbestos testing and remediation seriously, knowing that your health is on the line. Our team of licensed asbestos inspectors and abatement contractors have the experience and expertise to safely and effectively remove or encapsulate asbestos-containing materials from your property. We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure that the job is done right the first time, and we work closely with our clients to ensure that they understand the process from start to finish and are confident in the results.

If you suspect that your property may contain asbestos-containing materials, don’t wait to take action. Get in touch today to schedule an asbestos inspection and learn more about our asbestos testing and remediation services. Commercial or residential client, we are here to give you peace of mind that your health, reputation and well-being are safe with us.