Asbestos abatement services
We offer asbestos abatement services across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. As required by law, we hold licenses from the State of Ohio to operate as a contractor, and from the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to supply asbestos abatement services.
I’ve heard of asbestos. But what is it?
The Toxic Substances Control Act offers a scientific definition, but in plain English, Asbestos relates to several strong fibrous minerals whose properties include heat and chemical resistance and an internal structure which makes it easy to weave.
For these reasons, asbestos have been widely used in manufactured products of all kinds, including:
- Roof shingles
- Ceramic tiles
- Paper products
- Structures made from cement
- Textiles and coatings
- Friction resistant products—clutches and brakes for instance
Asbestos and your health
Exposure to asbestos may impact on health if airborne particles are inhaled. Continued exposure increases the number of particles inhaled, heightening the risk of serious lung disease.
Lung disease is more prevalent in those exposed to asbestos. When exposure is combined with smoking, the risk of your health being seriously affected ramps up considerably. Broadly speaking, the greater your exposure to asbestos, the higher your risk. If you are worried that you may have been exposed to asbestos in the past, consult a specialist physician as soon as possible.
The presence of asbestos fibers in the lungs is closely associated with three serious medical conditions: asbestosis, mesothelioma.
Asbestosis
This long term, virtually untreatable, non-cancerous lung disease results from the inhalation of asbestos fibers which irritate and scar lung tissue, reducing its capacity to oxygenate the blood. Symptoms: inability to breathe properly and crackling in the lungs on inhalation.
Lung cancer
The majority of those dying from exposure to asbestos, die from lung cancer. Most at risk are those who mine, mill, or manufacture asbestos. In addition, those using asbestos products are more likely to get lung cancer than those who don’t. Symptoms include coughing, breathlessness, chest pains that persist, loss of voice, and anemia.
Mesothelioma
Asbestos is the biggest cause of this rare disease with symptoms often failing to show until many years after exposure. Here, cancer occurs in tissue lining the heart, lungs, chest and abdomen.
Where might I find asbestos ?
Before the dangers of asbestos were widely known, the material was popular because of its utility in the construction industry—it is exceedingly strong and highly heat-resistant. Asbestos was so popular that, even today, thousands of products containing the substance remain on the market—these are primarily found in the heating and acoustic insulation sectors.
What should I do if I discover asbestos in my home?
- If the material containing the asbestos is in good condition, leave it as it is.
- If you can’t decide whether you’re dealing with asbestos or not, contact a professional asbestos inspector. They will test the material for you and provide a definitive answer.
- If you discover any asbestos which is unraveling, fraying or crumbling, isolate the area immediately, keeping pets and children well away. Try not to disturb the material—don’t touch it or walk on it. Consult an asbestos professional.
- If you intend to remodel your home, first find out whether any materials within the property contain asbestos.
- If you need to have exploratory work carried out we recommend that, to avoid a conflict of interest, you hire two contractors. Give the assessment to one and any abatement work emerging from their survey, to the other.
- If asbestos is discovered, remember that removal is not the only option—encapsulation and enclosure methods can make such materials safe.