With spring officially underway, many of us are finally getting around to our cleaning and home remodeling projects. For most, spring cleaning entails home maintenance, including cleaning out the attic and performing long-overdue home renovations and repairs. However, before you dive headfirst into these exhaustive tasks, make sure you are avoiding the threat of asbestos when performing your spring cleaning.
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When you hire an asbestos abatement team, you’re asking them to remove or encapsulate your property’s asbestos. But what happens when they discover another hazardous material such as lead in the process? One must recognize that where there is asbestos, there is likely lead, which is why it’s important that the abatement company understands the link between asbestos and lead RRP. [Read more…] about The Link Between Asbestos Abatement and Lead RRP
A house fire is dangerous in and of itself, but even after the fire has been extinguished, there may still be the presence of a deadly threat. After a house fire, you may want to quickly transition into the recovery and rebuilding phases, but first, you must understand the importance of staying safe from asbestos after a fire, as the fire may have destroyed materials that kept you safe from asbestos. [Read more…] about Staying Safe from Asbestos After a Fire
When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, the fibers can break off and become airborne, making the very air you breathe become toxic. Removing the threat of asbestos fibers from the air is an important task, which is why many people resort to using high-efficiency particulate arrestor – or HEPA – air filters in their respirators and air-purifying equipment. In this article, we describe how effectively HEPA air filters remove asbestos from the air. [Read more…] about Can HEPA Air Filters Remove Asbestos from the Air?
You’ve finally decided to replace that outdated flooring in the kitchen. But before you start chipping away at the old tiles, you should ensure that you’re not unknowingly exposing yourself to asbestos mastic – a black, oily, fibrous substance used to adhere tiles and vinyl flooring to the subfloor. To make sure you and your family are protected, be sure to learn the steps to identifying asbestos mastic in your flooring. [Read more…] about Steps to Identifying Asbestos Mastic in Your Flooring
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fter asbestos was discovered in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games water polo swimming center, the Tokyo metropolitan government and Olympic organizers agreed to begin taking action to contain the asbestos. With spectators from around the world reporting to the venue for the Olympic Games, this situation is a testament to the importance of scheduling an inspection and having a plan to enact asbestos countermeasures early in the process of any project.
Back in 2017, while making plans to install handrails and increase the venue’s handicap accessibility, an asbestos inspection was conducted before renovations began. The inspection led to the discovery of asbestos in the water polo venue, which had been sprayed onto fireproof covering material on two column bases supporting the roof. Against their better judgment, the government deemed the material’s location and condition were not a cause of concern and refused to enact immediate measures, despite the known risks.
Due to convenience, the venue was originally sprayed with asbestos-containing fireproofing and insulation. However, spray-on asbestos has been linked to several health hazards including mesothelioma and other types of cancer. This is especially concerning as spray-on asbestos is a friable substance, so any disturbance – such as renovations – can result in the asbestos becoming airborne and inhaled. Since the venue is due for an increase in traffic, the government has officially called for emergency measures to contain the asbestos.
The 2020 Tokyo Games Organizing Committee has proposed to use sheets to cover the treated sections, along with unspecified additional measures. The proposed solution – a process known as asbestos abatement – called for the encapsulation of the asbestos using sheets to seal, bind, and contain the potential contamination. This is a convenient and inexpensive method of asbestos abatement, costing an average of $2 to $6 per square foot. While this protects the asbestos from damage in the short term, it is hoped that after the Olympics, the venue will invest in the removal of the asbestos.
Despite being a relatively new building, having been opened in 1993, the venue still contains asbestos, which is why the age of a building shouldn’t determine the importance of an asbestos inspection. Even in the United States, we struggle with banning asbestos, making it a continuous threat to public health. Here at Fiber Control, Inc., we are experienced asbestos abatement contractors dedicated to asbestos removal and remediation, Lead RRP, mold remediation, and selective demolition. Contact us today to for help deploying asbestos countermeasures on your contaminated home or commercial property.
