Why Elect to Have Asbestos Testing in Northern Virginia?
Asbestos testing for Northern Virginia homes isn’t required by law. However, long-term exposure to the natural mineral fibers can cause serious respiratory conditions and deadly cancers. That’s why leading authorities and government agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend professional asbestos testing for Northern Virginia residents involved on either side of a real estate transaction, home or property owners planning to remodel, or after severe structural damage from a natural disaster.
Asbestos has been used by evolving societies for thousands of years. After the discovery of large asbestos deposits in North America in the late 1800’s that coincided with the start of the Industrial Revolution, asbestos quickly became a modern manufacturing staple in thousands of products. Naturally resistant to water, chemicals, and electricity, asbestos was also valued as an insulator, binder, and strengthener, especially in construction materials. But, by 1908 suspicion of it’s toxicity and the emergence of asbestos testing led medical and insurance companies to single out workers affected by asbestos exposure.
It wasn’t until the 1970’s that studies confirmed the link between airborne exposure to the microscopic fiber, deteriorating lung health, and the incidence of cancer. By 1978 federal laws were passed making it illegal to use asbestos in construction materials and most consumer goods.
Today asbestos testing gives Northern Virginia residents definitive scientific proof of the presence of asbestos in their homes. And while there are no legal requirements mandating asbestos removal in a residential structure, properly identifying asbestos and putting a management plan in place is the only way to address this deadly health risk.
The CPSC recommends homeowners follow these guidelines when dealing with an asbestos issue:
- Don't dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
- Keep activities to a minimum near damaged material that may contain asbestos.
- Take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos-containing material.
- Hire reputable, licensed asbestos professionals for sampling and minor repair.
- Have encapsulation or removal and any major repair done by trained, qualified professionals expert in handling asbestos.
- Don't saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in materials made with asbestos.
- Don't use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring. Never use a power stripper on a dry floor.
- Don't sand or level asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos flooring needs to be replaced install a new floorcovering over it when possible.
- Don't track material that could contain asbestos through the house. If you can’t avoid the area, call an asbestos professional to have it safely cleaned.
For professional assistance with asbestos testing in Northern Virginia, call the highly-trained, licensed, and reputable asbestos professionals at Envirotex. With Envirotex on the job, you can breathe easy.
