by George Schambach | Dec 19, 2022
Asbestos was a commonly used ingredient in many products and materials during the home construction process. Now asbestos is known to cause numerous health problems and although it is now closely regulated in the United States, it is still not completely banned.
WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is made up of a collection of heat resistant fibers. It is perhaps best known as an insulation type in both residential and commercial buildings, but asbestos can also be found in building materials such as paint, caulk, ceiling tiles, roofing tiles, vinyl siding etc.
Asbestos is classified as a carcinogenic material and since it is resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion it is impossible to completely destroy. Once absorbed into the body over long periods of time, asbestos can cause cancer (mesothelioma, lung, ovarian, and laryngeal), tumors, inflammation, and internal organ scarring.
If your home or building was constructed before the 1980s, there is an increased chance that it contains asbestos. In 1973, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) banned asbestos based, spray-on insulation, drastically declining the amount of asbestos used in building construction. In 1989, the EPA issued a further rule prohibiting most asbestos based products, although it was overturned in 1991. Although asbestos may be regulated in products made in the US, there is no ban that currently exists on imported, asbestos based products from counties like China and Russia.
OUR ASBESTOS TESTING PROCESS
In New York State, Asbestos testing must be conducted before any renovations occur on a building that does or may contain asbestos. At Professional Home Inspection Services, we offer asbestos testing services for both residential and commercial buildings. We work with insurance companies, building owners, and residential homeowners to provide comprehensive asbestos testing services.
Our certified asbestos inspection team adheres to NYS Code Rule 56 asbestos collection and analysis procedures to ensure our asbestos survey process, collection methods, and data results are reliable and are minimally disruptive to undisturbed asbestos. During our asbestos survey, our investigators will take multiple samples from a variety of materials. We make sure to pull random samples, as well as samples from a variety of rooms.
The asbestos testing and result process usually takes between one to two days. We provide you with a copy of the test results and an advanced analysis of the results to better inform you on your next steps for asbestos removal and remediation.
Don’t put your family or employees at risk. Asbestos can be lethal. Disturbed asbestos fibers can remain airborne for days and are able to contaminate anything they land on or in. Contact us to schedule your asbestos testing appointment today!