The Importance of Asbestos Removal in Washington, D.C. Historic Properties
Trying to preserve a historic property in Washington, D.C. can be extremely challenging because a lot of the materials used in the original construction are simply no longer available. These homes are normally preserved to resemble the original structure as near as possible, which, given the limited availability of materials can make it an expensive endeavor indeed.
There’s good news on that front, however. You might qualify for tax incentives and federal, state, and local assistance for preserving a historic home according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation depending on the location of your Washington, D.C. home.
Another challenge you’ll face on any restoration project though is the likely presence of asbestos. Given that it was a popular material used in construction between the 1920s and the late 1970s, it’s overwhelmingly likely that your historic property has asbestos lurking somewhere in or on it. Among other things, asbestos was used in:
- Roofing tiles
- Siding
- Flooring tiles
- And Insulation
Since it was banned from use, owners all over the country have been working hard to remove all traces of it, but by the time it was banned, it was estimated that more than 80% of the buildings in use contained asbestos in some form or another, which has made getting rid of it all a daunting task indeed that has spanned decades and is still ongoing.
Worse, asbestos cannot simply be casually removed. Whenever you disturb materials containing asbestos, asbestos fibers release into the air, and you take a chance of breathing in these fibers, which can lead to serious illness and even death. That’s why it is vitally important that you have your historic home inspected for the presence of asbestos before any renovations begin.
Unfortunately, a standard building contractor does not have the skills or specialized equipment necessary to safely remove the material, and the rules for its removal are stringent indeed. Here’s a quick overview of the laws and agencies governing that part of the equation:
Under federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws, it is assumed that any building built before 1981 contains asbestos. Testing Washington, D.C. properties for contamination is required for commercial building owners and any residential landlord who employs over 10 people or elects to hire an independent environmental contractor, such as Envirotex Environmental Services, to provide legal asbestos abatement services and make mandated repairs.
OSHA sets and enforces protection standards for employees working with or near asbestos. The Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA), including the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) and the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act of 1990 (ASHARA) (TSCA Title II) both apply to asbestos in schools, commercial and public buildings.
Levels of asbestos contaminants in outdoor air are regulated under the Clean Air Act through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and through the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).
The District Department of the Environment (DDoE) is responsible for the Asbestos Abatement Program. It recommends ordering asbestos testing in Washington, D.C. and hiring asbestos professionals to perform any necessary abatement work.
Disturbing, touching, or removing asbestos on your own, even if it is your primary residence, is highly dangerous. Asbestos testing of Washington, D.C. buildings, conducted by a licensed, qualified asbestos inspector, is the only way to determine the relative danger the asbestos poses and whether it can remain or must be removed.
Contained asbestos is not a threat. Airborne, or friable, asbestos is dangerous. Asbestos testing in Washington, D.C., with results analyzed by trained experts will determine the extent of the asbestos hazard and the need for asbestos abatement. This is essential if you have plans to remodel or demolish the property.
All that to say that asbestos can be deadly, and before you start renovating, asbestos testing and remediation is an essential component of ensuring a safe working environment for your contractors.
You can rely on Envirotex Environmental Services to comply with all the regulations that are involved in asbestos removal or any other environment issues such as mold remediation or lead-based paint removal. These are the experts when you have any environmental issues in preserving or restoring your older home in Washington, D.C. They are certified, licensed, and insured with over 15 years of experience in asbestos removal for historic homes and properties in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. area.
