Archive for the 'Blog' Category

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…

California Environmental Protection Agency – How Does it Help Me?

The CA EPA helps keep our great state clean & safe from environmental contamination.

Like the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) exists to safeguard human health and protect and preserve the natural environment. California has its own state-level EPA in part because of the unique environmental concerns of the state, such as the need to curb emissions more dramatically than in other parts of the country, in order to prevent smog from choking cities like Los Angeles. Cal/EPA also exists to enable the state to set more stringent environmental protection requirements than are required in the rest of the country, in accord with the generally more “green” attitude of California residents.

Here are the main activities of Cal/EPA and how they help you.

Protecting Air, Soil, and Water

Cal/EPA helps protect the natural resources of California, including resources like air, soil, and water that have an impact on human health. Cal/EPA maintains lists of hazardous materials like mercury, lead, asbestos, certain pesticides, etc., and conducts research to create guidelines regarding safe concentrations of these materials. Using these guidelines, environmental assessors can test air, soil, and water to ensure that…

Understanding Mold Remediation Los Angeles CA

Professional mold remediation Los Angeles CA can help eliminate the odors and allergies caused by mold.

Mold is definitely gross. It is unsightly, damaging to porous surfaces in your home or business, and potentially hazardous to your health. However, it is not the dire plague that urban legends make it out to be. In this article, we will help you understand more about mold and mold remediation Los Angeles CA.

Where and Why Does Mold Develop?

Molds are hardy little fungi that can thrive in virtually any environment, provided there is enough moisture and oxygen. Mold often develops in damp, poorly ventilated areas in homes and businesses, especially when a new source of moisture has been introduced. For example, you might have a roof leak that allows mold to thrive in your attic or poor drainage conditions that cause mold in your basement. High indoor humidity can also promote the growth of mold. In fact, the recent boom in the mold remediation industry has a lot to do with increased indoor humidity. As houses become more energy-efficient, they also become more tightly sealed and less…

How Do I Choose an Asbestos Removal Company Pasadena CA?

Use our checklist for selecting an asbestos removal company in Pasadena CA.

Because asbestos is so hazardous to human health, choosing an asbestos removal company Pasadena CA should not be taken lightly. Here are a few tips to help you find a contractor you can trust.

Check Certifications

Because asbestos is subject to hazmat regulations, it is essential to check up on the certifications earned by an asbestos removal company Pasadena CA before hiring. That way, you can rest assured that all activities involving asbestos will be carried out in compliance with state and federal laws. You won’t have to worry about the contractor contaminating areas outside the work zone, exposing unsuspecting people to asbestos, or causing liability issues. Using certified personnel is especially important if your asbestos removal project involves a public building or a rental unit, as you will need expert help to pass the re-occupancy tests for such buildings.

Check References

Ask the asbestos removal company to provide references or at least a list of previous projects that they have successfully completed. If possible, talk to previous clients to get an idea…

Eliminating PCB Hazards in Los Angeles CA

You’ll need a licensed removal company to deal with PCB hazards in Los Angeles CA safely.

Before the dangers of PCBs were known, these hazardous chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds were used in hundreds of commercial and industrial products. Though PCBs were banned in 1979, many materials containing PCBs remain in older facilities, where they can pose serious health hazards if not disposed of properly. These hazards are so severe that only EPA-certified companies can be involved in eliminating PCB hazards in Los Angeles CA.

Common PCB Applications

Because PCBs are non-flammable, have a high boiling point, and provide excellent electrical insulation, they were frequently used in electrical equipment like transformers, capacitors, and fluorescent light ballasts. PCBs can be liquid or solid, and many types of Insulation, tape, oil-based paint, caulking, floor finish, and plastics made between 1929 and 1979 contain PCBs.

Dangers of PCBs

Because PCBs take a long time to break down naturally, once they become released into the air, water, or soil, they tend to remain there indefinitely. Eventually, they make their way into the food chain by building up in the tissues of plants and fish. According…

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…

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…