Asbestos risks and what to do.

9/19/2014 (Permalink)

Do you know that Asbestos can be present in homes and offices built as recently as 1985? Many people don’t know that they may have materials in their home or business that contain Asbestos. Materials that are in good condition that contain Asbestos do not put you at risk, according to United States Consumer Product Safety Commission “Disturbing it (Asbestos) may create a health hazard where none existed before.” [i]

Asbestos poses different possible threats to health. Read the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality list for more information. [ii]

Different materials containing Asbestos where banned in 1977 but still widely used until 1985. It is important as a home owner, business owner or renter to know the date of construction, when damage to the structure occurs. You need to know that testing for Asbestos is important before demolition is performed to prevent spreading of asbestos fibers. Many times after water and/or fire loss sheetrock, insulation and ceiling tiles can be on the floor and possibly spreading Asbestos fibers throughout the area, contaminating the air as well as contents. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality provided these steps to limit the spread of Asbestos if any is disturbed.

“If you think a significant amount of asbestos has been released in your home (or Office):

    Close off the part of the home (or Office) where the release occurred

     Close off air ducts and vents

     Shut windows

      Tape bottoms of doors to prevent draft

       Contact a licensed asbestos abatement contractor or DEQ for information on what to do next.”[iii]

We at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin are not a licensed asbestos abatement contractor and when we run into asbestos we rely on those who are to properly take care of work that is required. We have sadly run into cases where poorly educated contractors, restoration companies and property management companies who do not have testing done. They preform demolition and expose homes, business, office, people and contents to asbestos and huge risk. To many times we have gone in behind one of these companies who ignore the law and the extreme health risks to find that materials containing asbestos have been torn open without any containment or proper air filtration.

When your health is at stake you need to be informed and confident to speak up and request that asbestos testing is done by a creditable and licensed company. The threat of staying quiet is too great. To insure that the correct steps are taken we, SERVPRO of Tigard test materials that need to be removed in homes and businesses built before 1985. We want to make sure that we are being cautious with your safety as well as the safety of our team.

When speaking with your property management company, contractor or restoration company make sure that you ask what their policy for asbestos testing is and how they complete work that needs to be done if asbestos is found. If you have questions make sure to give us a call 24/7, 365 503.684.5829.

[i] Unites States Consumer Product Safety Commission:  http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/Asbestos-In-The-Home/

[ii] Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/asbestos/

[iii] Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/asbestos/house.htm

Asbestos risks and what to do.