Asbestos Abatement and Removal

Pdg Environmental, Inc.

U.S. Laboratories Inc.

Guide to Asbestos Abatement and Removal

Obtain information about asbestos abatement and removal for your work site
By N. Waymire

Asbestos removal is essential for any office or work area that contains products made from this hazardous material. Asbestos exposure might lead to diseases such as Mesothelioma, a type of cancer, or Asbestosis, a severe respiratory condition. These diseases can be fatal if not caught in time or treated properly.

Asbestos abatement and removal is a dangerous process that should only be performed by certified asbestos abatement companies. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that are easily breathed in. Products made from asbestos may break or crack over time, which can lead to:

1. Asbestos fibers being released into the air and inhaled.

2. Asbestos fibers clinging to clothing of workers, even during the asbestos removal process, and being transported to other locations.

3. Exposure to a potentially deadly toxin.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Test for the necessity of asbestos remediation Asbestos was used in a wide variety of products before it was determined to be harmful. The industries that most often used products made from asbestos are shipping yards, power plants and oil refineries. Asbestos was also used an a variety of building and insulation materials, so any type of business may be at risk. Have a contractor inspect the premises or collect samples of any item you believe may contain asbestos and send them to a lab for testing.

I recommend:  ServiceMagic will perform tests and notify you if you are in need of an asbestos removal contractor. Air Tech International Corp. provides a kit for collecting your own samples. The samples should be sent to a lab such as Asbestos TEM Laboratories Inc.

Get rid of asbestos products Buildings that contain items made from asbestos will require an asbestos removal service. Hire a certified professional to remove and dispose of the asbestos. Understand how much you should expect to spend when you need to hire asbestos abatement companies.

I recommend:  Contact LVI Services for asbestos removal services. Search The Blue Book for asbestos remediation companies in your area. Cost Helper provides estimates for asbestos removal costs.

Know what to do if you or your staff were exposed prior to asbestos abatement and removal The first thing to do following exposure to asbestos is seek medical help. Contact a physician for an immediate appointment. You may wish to file a lawsuit if a contractor has used products made from asbestos in your office or building. Your claim must be filed before the statute of limitations in your state for asbestos exposure (where applicable), personal injury/negligence and wrongful death has expired.

I recommend:  Statutes of Limitations shows which states have asbestos limitations, and information on wrongful death and personal injury/negligence in every state. Hire a law firm such as Steinberg Law Firm P.C. to pursue your legal claim.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Have the insulation in your building tested by an asbestos removal contractor. Insulation is commonly made from vermiculite, a naturally occurring material that is typically found near asbestos deposits.