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About Asbestos
The federal
government has initiated a series of programs that has caused the
removal of asbestos containing materials from schools and other public
buildings. The reason for these actions is that asbestos causes cancer.
What is
Asbestos?
Asbestos is a term for a group of natural mineral fibers. Asbestos
fibers have been used exclusively due to their indestructible,
non-combustible and good thermal properties.
What is the
danger?
Asbestos fibers cannot be easily destroyed. The size and shape of
these fibers permit them to be airborne for long periods of time. The
fibers that are released from asbestos containing materials enter the
air and contaminate the building environment. When the fibers are
inhaled, most will not remain in the lungs, but those that do can stay
indefinitely.
Is there a
safe level of exposure?
The EPA believes that any exposure to asbestos involves a health
risk.
How was
asbestos used in homes?
Asbestos has been in plaster, cement, vinyl floor tiles, and thermal
insulation. Hard asbestos containing material, such as vinyl floor tile
and plaster, do not generally create exposure problems as the fibers are
firmly encased in the material (abrading or crushing will cause fiber
release.)
What do I
look for?
Soft (Friable) forms of insulation used mainly around pipes,
boilers, or furnaces. The potential for release, contamination, and
exposure depends on the condition of asbestos containing materials (such
as deterioration from age) or the necessity of their removal for
mechanical system repairs.
What do I do
about it?
Removal or encapsulation should be done by trained and licensed
asbestos abatement contractors. Residential Asbestos Removal has
specialized in abatement since 1986 and follows all EPA, ODH and OSHA
rules. We will SAFELY remove or encapsulate.
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