Since asbestos has been discovered to be hazardous to the public’s health, lawmakers have been torn over whether to ban or simply regulate its use. Over the decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued rulings over asbestos, but attempts to ban the hazardous material have been continuously rejected. However, a recent bill known as the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act aims to finalize a ban against the harmful substance. [Read more…] about What is the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act?
EPA
Understanding the Prevalent Dangers of Vermiculite Contamination
You may have heard of vermiculite insulation, or perhaps you’ve been wandering the gardening department of a store and noticed the bags of vermiculite for sale. On its own, vermiculite is harmless. It’s a natural material that has a wide variety of applications. However, what people are less familiar with is its relationship with asbestos. That’s why it’s important to become aware of the prevalent dangers of vermiculite asbestos contamination. [Read more…] about Understanding the Prevalent Dangers of Vermiculite Contamination
How COVID-19 Closures are Facilitating Asbestos Abatement in Schools
While many facilities are hurting due to the closures resulting from COVID-19, some took advantage of this downtime. Namely, school districts have been using this extended vacancy to overhaul a vitally important and long overdue service: asbestos abatement. To this day, asbestos is still a problem in many schools across the country, and districts are acting to better protect students. While the virus is a danger in and of itself, the COVID-19 closures are facilitating asbestos abatement in schools to increase the safety of school children. [Read more…] about How COVID-19 Closures are Facilitating Asbestos Abatement in Schools
The Findings of the EPA’s SNUR Ruling on Asbestos
It’s been a while since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had issued any findings or ruling on asbestos or asbestos-related products. Ever since the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule (ABPR) was gutted in 1991 in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, there has been a grey area when it comes to certain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Some have worried new EPA rulings could either expand that grey area or allow new asbestos manufacturing and product use in the United States. [Read more…] about The Findings of the EPA’s SNUR Ruling on Asbestos
ASB, ACM & ACWM: Common Asbestos Acronyms
Acronyms are useful shorthand in the world of asbestos remediation and removal, but can be opaque to residents and businesses who experience issues with asbestos exposure for the first time. If you’re doing your own research or digging through the information about asbestos abatement contractors in your area, you might hit a wall of unusual acronyms, referring to materials, agencies, and acts you’re not familiar with. We’re here to help provide a little clarity in your quest to learn more about asbestos acronyms. [Read more…] about ASB, ACM & ACWM: Common Asbestos Acronyms
What is the Lead RRP Rule and Why Is It Important?
We’ve talked in the last about lead paint – why it’s such a hazard in the home for children, dangerous during renovations, and why we’re Lead RRP licensed here at Fiber Control. But what is Lead RRP and why is the rule – the Leader RRP rule – so important for any home or business contractors, not just hazardous material remediation like ourselves? Let’s take a look at the EPA rule, why it was created in only the last 10 years, what you need to know about it when working on your home or commercial building. [Read more…] about What is the Lead RRP Rule and Why Is It Important?