FAQ
Q. What is asbestos?
A. VeAsbestos is a fibrous material that contains silicates. Because of its resistant properties to chemicals and heath, asbestos is a common material in fireproofing and insulation materials, and has been used for many other purposes.
Q. is asbestos dangerous?
A. Vest If undisturbed, asbestos presents no threat to one’s health. However, if handled incorrectly, asbestos can break into microscopic fibers that can be inhaled by humans and remain in the body for years; 10-40 years after exposure. This exposure to asbestos has been shown to cause various diseases, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Increased exposure creates an increased chance of contracting the disease.
Legally, the Department of Environmental Protection considers all material comprising of 1% asbestos or greater to be hazardous, and mandates that it must be handled by state licensed professionals.
Q. What is an asbestos survey report?
A. Before the owner/operator of a building containing suspect asbestos containing material (ACM) conducts demolition or renovation activities, they must employ and asbestos inspector to throughly inspect the facility to identify the presence, location, and quantity of any ACM or suspect ACM and prepare a written asbestos survey report.
An Asbestos Survey Report is a document that inventories all asbestos containing materials (ACM) found at the surveyed location. The report identifies the types, amounts, condition, and location of ACM, and should be kept for 2 years following the completion of demolition or renovation activities. Survey reports are regulated by the Code of Massachusetts Regulations 310 CMR 7.15
Q. wHERE IS ASBESTOS MOST COMMONLY FOUND IN THE HOME?
A. Asbestos was used in a variety of housing materials, including but not limited to pipe and duct insulation, heating system insulation, snowman boilers, floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring, wallboard, joint compound, decorative plasters, siding shingles (transite), asphalt roofing, fireproofing products.
It is a common rumor that asbestos will not be found in homes built after the 1970s, but this is incorrect. Pre-1980, asbestos was freely and widely used in construction. Throughout the 80s, the discovery of asbestos's adverse effects caused multiple product bans which in 1989 culminated in a blanket ban on all asbestos containing materials. However, this ruling was repealed in 1991, and asbestos is still legally sold and used today.
Q. LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT AMET, CONSECTETUR ADIPISCING ELIT?
A. Asbestos was used in a variety of housing materials, including but not limited to pipe and duct insulation, heating system insulation, snowman boilers, floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring, wallboard, joint compound, decorative plasters, siding shingles (transite), asphalt roofing, fireproofing products.
It is a common rumor that asbestos will not be found in homes built after the 1970s, but this is incorrect. Pre-1980, asbestos was freely and widely used in construction. Throughout the 80s, the discovery of asbestos's adverse effects caused multiple product bans which in 1989 culminated in a blanket ban on all asbestos containing materials. However, this ruling was repealed in 1991, and asbestos is still legally sold and used today.
Q. WHEN SHOULD I TEST FOR ASBESTOS?
A. Before performing any renovation or demolition activity on a building, all asbestos containing material must be identified to determine if it would be impacted by the construction. It is also common to hire an asbestos inspector before buying a house, so as to factor the cost of future renovations into the sale.
Q. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHETHER MY HOME CONTAINS ASBESTOS?
A. BFirst we schedule an appointment for our licensed asbestos inspector to survey the property and identify any visual asbestos. Small samples of suspect materials are collected and sent to SanAir Technologies Laboratory, where they are tested using EPA 600/R-93/116 scan method for asbestos.