Imagine a silent killer stalking within your body, yet this killer is so devious that it takes time to achieve its goals. Indeed, it would be the perfect example of patience and malicious combined in one. This killer can wait for over 20 years before striking its fatal blow.
Envirotex is a licensed, asbestos inspection and abatement contractor. We offer:
What we have described above may sound like a horror movie, yet, it is very much a reality. The killer we are talking about is asbestos. Read on to find out more about this naturally occurring material. Further, we provide an answer to one critical question. Do I need an asbestos inspection in Arlington, VA?
As we stated above, asbestos is a naturally–occurring material. While our introduction may make it seem like it has no good qualities, that would not be further from the truth. Asbestos has been, for a long time, a critical component in industrial and manufacturing applications. The material is solid and features tons of resistant properties. Asbestos is heat resistant and does not degrade due to acids or alkalis. It is very flexible, allowing for different uses in textile, construction, and manufacturing industries, to name a few.
We did mention the construction industry being a big consumer of asbestos. Its heat–resistant potentials make it perfect for insulation. It keeps out the cold and noise. It is also excellent for fireproofing the building. The use of asbestos is common in building materials such as roof sealant, shingles, and floor tiles. Others are cement products, house sidings, and plaster products.
Even the car you drive may contain asbestos. Its application has been in friction materials such as transmission parts, clutch pads, shoes, and brake linings. At this point, you may be right to think that our introduction is similar to the character assassination of asbestos. We don’t blame you for that; you shall soon find out why we began the conversation that way.
Asbestos is the mineral example of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Mr. Hyde personification is the very reason why asbestos use has been on the decline over the years. Over 50 countries worldwide have banned it. The first country to implement a total asbestos ban was Iceland in 1983. Some exceptions are Canada, India, Russia, China, and the United States. Please take a minute to think about it; Why would many countries no longer allow the use of material with so many positives? Well, it all comes down to the health implications of long–term asbestos exposure.
There is no other way to put it. Asbestos is a highly toxic material. The range of medical conditions attributable to it includes mesothelioma, scarring or damaging lung tissue, and lung cancer. Other conditions which are equally life–threatening include nonmalignant pleural diseases and respiratory illnesses. It can be pretty challenging to diagnose the root cause of some of the symptoms of asbestos poisoning. Take the example of chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath resembling signs of a cold. Swelling of the fingertips, face, or neck could be attributable to allergic reactions.
That is why we call asbestos a silent killer lurking within your body. Doctors are not able to diagnose or attribute the symptoms to poisoning. You could live with the symptoms for 20 to 50 years without symptoms. But, the day they start to appear, it usually is too late. If you think that is bad enough, well, it is not. Scientists point out that asbestos has no safe exposure level. That means you could develop clinical effects at 1% exposure or even 50% exposure. Talk about a real–life horror story right there.
As you read this article, you may think you are safe from asbestos–related complications. After all, you may be convinced that you don’t work in a manufacturing plant that uses the material. Please forgive us for being the bearer of bad news. That place you call home may be killing you slowly. As we stated, asbestos use was common in the production of building materials. It is not uncommon to find high mineral levels in some of the older homes. Also, please remember that some countries have not banned it altogether. That means asbestos may still be very much present in modern homes.
Don’t fret just yet, though; there is something you need to know. Asbestos occurs in two forms.
So far, we haven’t let you know how asbestos finds its way into the body. You see, asbestos comprises delicate needle–like structures. They’re quite pretty if you look at them under the microscope. That should tell you one thing. It is not possible to see the fibers with the naked eye. So, if the asbestos crumbles, the fibers could quickly find their way into the atmosphere. Every time you draw in a breath of the infected air, the fibers enter your body.
After getting to this point in the article, you should be sure that the answer to your question, ‘do I need an asbestos inspection in my Arlington, VA home?’ is a profound yes. By all means, you should do so if there is any chance of asbestos exposure. Other times that you need to prioritize the examination are: –
When remodeling or renovating the home, there may be structural changes. You may, for instance, need to bring down walls or remove insulation, tiles, or roofing. Remember, we shared that some buildings may contain asbestos. In this case, the pounding and destruction could lead to the disturbing of the non–friable asbestos.
Consider it an investment in your health by hiring professionals to carry out an asbestos inspection of the house before buying it. Note that the law does not require home sellers to provide an asbestos inspection report. The same does not, however, apply to commercial buildings. You may have to cover the cost of the inspection. Some sellers may, however, agree to share the cost with you.
Some laws require asbestos testing before demolition, for example, the Clean Air Act under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. The same applies to all buildings, regardless of age or other factors. It applies to commercial, institutional, industrial, or public structures. Residential buildings that have four or fewer dwellings must comply as well.
It is important to let professionals do asbestos testing. They have the relevant knowledge to handle the toxic material. They also know how and where to collect samples. Remember, it is impossible to tell whether a material contains asbestos only through a visual inspection. That is why we keep reiterating that you should let licensed inspectors do the work.
After collecting the samples, the professionals at Envirotex do send them to specialized labs for testing. The results determine the presence or absence of asbestos. After that, the teams will recommend appropriate action. Depending on the results, there are two courses of action as below: –
Do you need an asbestos inspection in Arlington, VA? Well, Envirotex is the go–to solution. Our knowledge and experience come from over three decades in the market. We have invested in the best technologies and training for our personnel.
Fill in our contact form available on the website to start the conversation. We shall book an appointment for a consultation at your convenience.
About Envriotex Environmental Services
Established in Northern Virginia in 2000, Envirotex Environmental Services was founded on military service. While serving his country, the company's owner Mr. Freeman gained vast knowledge and experience in the environmental services field. His expertise in air monitoring and hazardous materials testing prepared him for his post-military career.
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