What Should I Know About Lead-Based Paint?
Lead-based paint is a common health hazard that can be eliminated safely with professional help.
Lead-based paint is a common health hazard found in homes built prior to 1978, when it was banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In general, lead-based paint is safe as long as the paint coat remains intact. When the paint begins to chip and flake due to age, or when it is worn away by friction in doorjambs or window sashes, the resulting leaded particles can pose serious health risks.
Dangers of Lead-Based Paint Exposure
Lead is quite toxic, and high levels of exposure can be deadly. Lower levels of exposure can cause damage to the brain, kidneys, blood cells, and central nervous system. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. Physical and mental developmental issues, as well as behavioral problems and lowered IQs in infants and children have been linked to high lead exposure. Experts believe that children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning not only because their tissues are still developing, but also because they are likely to put contaminated objects in their mouths.
Removing Lead Paint
It is not wise…
READ MORE →How Do I Know if I Need Asbestos Removal in Long Beach?
Ask yourself these questions to find out if you might need asbestos removal in Long Beach.
Asbestos removal in Long Beach can be a lengthy, intrusive, and expensive process. While some people adopt the better-safe-than-sorry attitude and opt to remove all suspicious materials immediately, others want a bit more information. If you fall into the latter category, answering the following questions will help you determine if you need asbestos removal in Long Beach.
Is the material really asbestos?
If you think you have asbestos in your home or business, the first thing you need to do is confirm that the material is in fact asbestos. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do unless you have the original construction records or the material happens to be labeled. The age of the material can provide some clues—prior to the 1970s, asbestos was regarded as safe, so many older homes do contain asbestos tiles, shingles, siding, and insulation. Ultimately, the only way to tell for sure if you have asbestos is to have the material tested by a qualified professional.
Is the material intact or damaged?
Asbestos is really only dangerous when it is in a form that can be inhaled. If the asbestos materials in your…
READ MORE →Best Practices for Asbestos Removal in Los Angeles
Discover the best practices for asbestos removal in Los Angeles and make sure your contractor follows them.
In its natural state, asbestos is a fibrous mineral that can cause severe lung damage when inhaled. As long as asbestos remains bound into manufactured products, it cannot be inhaled. But as soon as these products begin to break down, they release microscopic asbestos fibers that can pose a real danger over time. The best way to deal with damaged asbestos materials such as floor coverings, ceiling tiles, insulation, siding, roof shingles, and even fire-retardant paints is to opt for professional asbestos removal in Los Angeles. After all, asbestos is officially classified as a hazardous material, and it should be treated as such by professionals who are fully trained in best practices for asbestos removal for Los Angeles.
Containment
Containment of loose asbestos fibers is priority one in any asbestos removal job. Best practices call for the entire work area to be sealed off with plastic sheeting and moisture-resistant tape. After the work area is made airtight, it must be equipped with a state-of-the-art air filtration system to ensure that while fresh air is allowed in, no asbestos fibers are allowed out. It is absolutely…
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