subject: Asbestos Removal Companies Provide A Valuable Service [print this page] Asbestos removal companies provide valuable services for individuals and companies. It has been estimated that 10,000 people per year die from asbestos-related diseases in the US alone.
Use and abatement of the substance was regulated by the Clean Air Act of 1970. The Toxic Substances Control Act has banned use of the substance in many areas.
Regardless of the regulations in place, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported in 2004 that it is still a hazard for millions of workers in construction and maintenance industries.
The health problems associated with exposure to the substance are numerous. People who work with the substance have an increased risk of life-threatening tumors. Their family members are also at risk.
An increased incidence of asbestos-related tumors has been seen in people who live near mines or factories that produce the material. The fibers become airborne and the human body lacks the ability to break them down.
Mesothelioma is the best known of the asbestos-related diseases. In that condition, numerous tumors form inside of the lungs. The tumors occur because the fibers become stuck in the lining of the lungs.
Asbestosis is another lung disease caused by exposure to the substance. People who have it experience severe shortness of breath and have an increased risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other malignancies.
Asbestos removal firms know how to protect their employees and their customers from exposure that can lead to those diseases. Employees are protected by special gloves and breathing devices. Rooms in the process of being cleaned up are sealed in such a way as to prevent the fibers from entering the air of the building.
It is not always necessary to remove the materials. In some cases, the best solution is to encapsulate it. As long as the fibers are not released into the air, there is no risk of toxicity.
Asbestos removal firms help individuals and companies choose the appropriate abatement processes. Encapsulation is sometimes safer than removing the materials. In the case of spray-on fireproofing, encapsulation may be the only choice.
Popcorn type insulations widely used in construction for decades present a hazard to building occupants. The hazardous fibers can easily be released from the insulation. Removing the insulation may not be possible but containing the fibers and protecting the building occupants is always possible.
You might not even be sure which materials in the building should be removed or contained. Businesses that evaluate buildings for other toxins consider asbestos-testing "out of scope". Asbestos removal companies are the best source for information, testing and containment.
