Asbestos was a widely used material in many industrial and construction applications prior to 1980 because of its strength, acoustic absorption and fire and heat resistance. It has since been discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses.
Asbestos can be dangerous when disturbed as a result of building repairs, demolition or construction activities. Governing bodies require Asbestos Surveys are conducted by, or under the supervision of, a Certified Asbestos Consultants (CAC), like our professionals at TRUST Environmental Solutions.
Although asbestos is no longer used in the United States, it is still commonly found in older building materials and some imported construction materials. Federal, state, and local regulatory bodies have enforced strict regulations to mitigate the risks of asbestos exposure.
ASBESTOS SURVEYS
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals that was widely used in many industrial and construction applications prior to 1980 because of its strength, acoustic absorption and fire and heat resistance. It has since been discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses including cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Common Asbestos Containing Building Materials
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Although asbestos is no longer used in the United States, it is still commonly found in older building materials and some imported construction materials. For that reason, federal, state, and local regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have enforced strict regulations to mitigate the risks of asbestos exposure. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in stiff fines or other severe penalties.
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Building materials that can contain asbestos include:
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Ceiling Tiles
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Spray-On Acoustic Material
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Sheetrock and Wallboard
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Joint Compound
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Linoleum and Vinyl
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Floor Tiles and Mastic
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Stucco and Plaster
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Insulation
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Roofing and Siding Shingles
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Heat-Resistant Textiles
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Sprayed-on Fireproofing
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Cement Piping
Asbestos can be dangerous when it is disturbed as a result of building repairs, demolition or construction activities. When disturbed, asbestos fibers are released into the air and break down into fine dust particles which can remain airborne for long periods of time. Individual asbestos fibers cannot be seen by the naked eye, and if not properly addressed, workers and occupants are at an increased risk of exposure.
How Are Asbestos Surveys Performed?
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Required by most Federal, State and Local governing bodies, Asbestos Surveys must be conducted by, or under the direction of, a Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC). Our Asbestos Surveys are conducted in accordance with the most stringent Federal, State and Local guidelines and include a thorough visual examination of the suspect areas, collection of bulk material samples, and analysis of the samples using methods such as Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) by an American Industrial Hygiene Association accredited laboratory. Upon receipt of the analytical data, TRUST Environmental Solutions will issue a comprehensive Asbestos Survey report to all relevant parties which outlines the analytical findings and includes an asbestos abatement recommendations plan.
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Once the contractor has completed the Asbestos Abatement, a Post Abatement Asbestos Clearance Inspection is conducted to ensure the work has been carried out to the highest industry standards and the asbestos has been properly and safely removed.
