The Benefits of Using a Qualified Asbestos Surveyor
Did you know that there are over 3,000 products that contain asbestos? And those are just the products we know about! The trouble is that this material, widely used in construction materials for all types of infrastructures, including homes, commercial, industrial, warehouses and more, is harmful to human health.
Before we discuss the benefits of using a qualified asbestos surveyor, let us explain what asbestos is, where it can be found and the dangerous effects it has on human health
What is Asbestos?
There are two groups of asbestos “fiber” based on its chemical and physical properties: amphibole and serpentine. Amphibole fibers are stiff and straight, which limits their commercial use. Serpentine fibers are curved, flexible and extended and are the main types used in manufacturing.
Where Asbestos Can Be Found
Before 1990 asbestos was primarily used for insulating homes and buildings against noise, cold weather and fireproofing. Because it is resistant to fire, heat, chemical and biological breakdown, asbestos was used in products such as:
- Building materials: ceiling and floor tiles, house siding, roofing shingles and sealants, and cement and plaster products
- Industrial heating systems such as furnaces
- Electrical, heat and sound wrappings and insulation
- Packing materials, coatings, gaskets and linings
- Thermostat reinforcement
- Textiles and fabrics
Human Health Effects of Asbestos
When asbestos is dry, it can crumble, pulverize and powder. In addition, its tiny fibers can release into the air as dust. Therefore, inhaling asbestos is a significant health concern.
The human health effects of long-term asbestos exposure include asbestosis and changes in the lining of the lungs (pleural abnormalities). In addition, all forms of asbestos have shown to cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can occur in both the linings of the lungs and abdomen.
For these reasons, it is crucial to hire an expert asbestos surveyor to test and assess the entire space thoroughly.
So, let us now take a look at some of the benefits of hiring a qualified asbestos surveyor.
An Asbestos Surveyor Helps You Identify Asbestos
It is hard to know if a material contains asbestos by merely looking at it unless it has a label stating it contains asbestos.
An inspection and assessment carried out by a trained and accredited asbestos surveyor will be able to identify any asbestos-containing materials. And depending on the results, they will be able to offer you a safe and effective asbestos removal solution.
Asbestos Surveyors Provide Written Documentation
A well-qualified asbestos surveyor will provide you with a written assessment. The assessment will describe the exact location and extent of the asbestos. In addition, it will also offer the best recommendations for elimination.
This document is essential, so the asbestos removal team knows where to focus their efforts and what steps to take.
They Help You with Follow-Up Procedures
A professional asbestos surveyor will keep in contact and follow up with the asbestos removal professionals to ensure the project is completed safely, correctly and efficiently. In addition, they can recommend frequent post-remediation checks to ensure the area remains safe.
Get Started with an Asbestos Surveyor Today
Working with an asbestos surveyor can be the difference between a healthy environment and a dangerous one.
Do not wait! Contact an asbestos surveyor to keep your residential, commercial, industrial and other spaces safe and healthy for those who live in or visit.
Let’s help you to get started with a thorough asbestos inspection. Get in touch with Phase Associates to learn more about us, our asbestos survey services, and book an inspection today.
The Phase Associates asbestos surveyors service the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware.