Archive for May, 2013

How Do I Choose an Asbestos Removal Company in Los Angeles CA?

Do your homework before hiring an asbestos removal company in Los Angeles CA! Here are some tips.

Asbestos removal is serious business. It is definitely not a DIY project, and it shouldn’t be entrusted to any old general contractor either. If you have asbestos in your home, you need the assistance of a professional asbestos removal company Los Angeles CA. Here are a few things to consider when looking for the right partner for your project.

Certifications

In order to qualify to work on asbestos removal projects, an asbestos removal company Los Angeles CA must earn the appropriate certifications. They need to employ a certified asbestos consultant if any asbestos testing or sampling is to be done in advance of the project, and they also need various hazmat certifications to transport and dispose of the old asbestos-containing materials. The workers should all be fully trained in industry best practices and able to carry out their work in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos.

References

As with any company, references from past clients can be a great source of information about an asbestos removal company….

I Have Popcorn Ceilings – Should I Be Concerned about Asbestos?

Popcorn ceilings frequently feature asbestos-containing paint. Here’s how to handle it.

Asbestos can be found in many of the building materials used in older homes, including popcorn ceilings. If you have popcorn ceilings in your home, you should definitely think twice before attempting to scrape it off and repaint the ceiling yourself. Here’s some advice about how to handle projects involving popcorn ceilings.

Check the Dates

Californians are lucky because asbestos-containing popcorn ceilings were banned in this state in the 1970s. So if you know for a fact that your home, or the ceiling material, is newer than the ban, you don’t have to worry about asbestos in your popcorn ceiling.

Get Testing

If you aren’t sure of the age of your ceiling, or you are certain that it predates the asbestos popcorn ceiling ban, you need to get professional asbestos testing from a certified asbestos consultant. When the consultants come to take a sample, they will don head-to-toe hazmat suits with respirators and seal off the room before taking a sample. They should also filter the air using a HEPA vacuum system to ensure that no stray fibers…

Risks Associated with Exposure to Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos can cause serious, potentially life-threatening health problems.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent, and has been officially classified as such by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the EPA. If you suspect you have asbestos in your home or business, it is crucial that you get professional asbestos testing and asbestos remediation to eliminate the risks of developing serious health problems due to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-Related Conditions

Asbestos-containing materials do not pose health hazards so long as the materials are intact. However, once the material becomes damaged or disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers can be released. These fibers can float around in the air for days. When you breathe them in, they lodge in your lungs, potentially leading to the development of serious health problems over time. The more fibers accumulate, the greater the danger.

Asbestos can cause increased risk of lung cancer, especially mesothelioma, which is a cancer affecting the membranes in the chest and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos may also result in asbestosis, or an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs. Individuals with asbestosis may experience shortness of breath, coughing,…

How Do I Inspect My Home for Asbestos?

Always leave asbestos inspections to the professionals. Here’s how to figure out if it’s time to call the pros for an inspection.

The short answer is, you don’t. Asbestos is impossible to detect with 100 percent certainty without testing samples in a lab. To get these samples, you must have a certified technician visit your home, inspect the possible asbestos-containing materials, and remove a small portion of the material using specific safety precautions. It is actually illegal for anyone other than a certified individual to perform asbestos sampling in the state of California.

However, there are a few steps you can take on your own to determine if calling the inspector is really necessary.

Consider the Age of Your Home

Asbestos-containing materials were extremely popular right up until the late 1970s, when people finally started realizing that the health risks posed by asbestos far outweighed its benefits as a fire-resistant, insulating material. If your home was built during America’s love affair with asbestos, it is highly likely that some asbestos-containing materials are lurking in your home. If, however, your home was built in the 1990s or later, it is unlikely…