Is Asbestos Lurking in Your Building?
Asbestos is found in many different areas and in many different materials within buildings. It may reside within flooring, troweled-on plaster walls and ceilings, roofing, siding, and insulation. Pre-1980 homes and buildings are more likely to harbor asbestos, but newer buildings are not necessarily guaranteed to be free of asbestos. Prior to demolition or renovation of older structures, it is prudent to have a qualified asbestos inspection to determine the absence or presence of asbestos containing building materials (ACBM’s) or presumed asbestos containing materials (PACM’s).
Because of its high health risk and its pervasive use in older building construction, the American Lung Association strongly recommends contracting asbestos-certified professionals to inspect, gather, and test samples. This will minimize human exposure to this harmful substance. If you suspect asbestos is present on your property, it’s important that you chose a competent and certified asbestos professional to identify and design a safe and responsible action plan. Additionally, the EPA recommends hiring an asbestos inspection contractor who is independent of the contractor who will perform any asbestos remediation work. This will protect you, the owner, from unnecessary work being performed.
Call ESA to speak to a Certified Asbestos Building Inspector. ESA’s chief inspector has more than 30 years of experience conducting asbestos building inspections and surveys. Our asbestos inspectors can help you identify asbestos hazards before they become a liability.