Abatement Services

07/25/2024

Four myths about asbestos in residential homes in Idaho.
Debunking the Myths of Asbestos in Residential Homes in Idaho

Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring minerals once lauded for their durability and heat resistance, has become a notorious name in the world of construction and home safety. In Idaho, like many other states, the legacy of asbestos is deeply intertwined with the history of residential construction. Despite widespread awareness of its dangers, numerous myths persist about asbestos in homes.

Myth 1: Asbestos is No Longer Found in Homes

One of the most prevalent myths is that asbestos is no longer a concern because it was banned long ago. While it's true that asbestos

Myth 2: Only Older Homes Have Asbestos

Another common misconception is that only homes built before the 1980s are at risk. While it's true that asbestos use peaked before stricter regulations were implemented, it was not eliminated from building materials. Homes constructed even in the early 2000s and beyond could potentially contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Myth 3: Asbestos is Only Dangerous When Disturbed

Many homeowners believe that asbestos is harmless if left undisturbed. While it is true that intact and undisturbed asbestos materials pose a lower risk, this does not mean they are completely safe. Over time, materials can deteriorate, leading to the release of asbestos fibers into the air. Even minor activities, such as drilling, sanding, or minor home repairs, can disturb asbestos-containing materials and release fibers.

Myth 4: Asbestos is Easy to Identify

Some believe that asbestos-containing materials are easy to identify with the naked eye. Unfortunately, asbestos fibers are microscopic, and the materials containing them often look identical to non-asbestos materials.

Conclusion

Understanding the truth about asbestos is crucial for contractors and homeowners in Idaho. Dispelling these myths can lead to safer home environments and better-informed decisions when it comes to renovations and repairs.

04/17/2024

Did you hear the latest news? As of March 18, 2024, all asbestos use has been banned in the United States.

Wait a minute? I thought asbestos was banned a long time ago? Maybe I can explain some of what has happened over the last 50+ years. The journey towards banning asbestos in the United States is a complex narrative shaped by scientific discoveries, legal battles, and advocacy efforts.
Asbestos was once celebrated for its versatility and widespread use in various industries, until it emerged as a public health hazard due to its carcinogenic properties.

The Clean Air Act of 1970 empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate air pollutants, including asbestos. In the 1970s and 1980s, numerous attempts were made to enact a comprehensive ban on asbestos in the United States. The EPA proposed a ban on asbestos in 1989 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). However, the ban was overturned in 1991 by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule of 1989, although overturned, led to voluntary phase-outs of asbestos in certain products. As of the latest update, asbestos IS completely banned as of March 18, 2024, with the passing of the first ban under the EPA’s Toxic Substance Control Act. With the passing of this ban, all asbestos containing materials are to be completely unused between six months to five years, depending on the application.

Have questions about asbestos, Abatement Services is happy to help.

For more information, visit our Blog Post at abatementservicesllc.com.

EPA News Release: Biden-Harris Administration finalizes ban on ongoing uses of asbestos to protect people from cancer

02/29/2024

As a Certified Renovation Firm, when we are working as a subcontractor, we are required to do one of the following: obtain lead-based paint test results from the contractor on the job for the painted surfaces being disturbed, test the surfaces ourselves before disturbing painted surfaces, or assume lead-based paint is present and follow the lead-safe work practice requirements. This includes giving the property owner the Lead Safe Renovate Right pamphlet and completing all necessary paperwork.

Contractors are required to provide subcontractors with lead-based paint test results or verify that they have the proper lead certifications and are doing one of the things listed above.

More information can be found on our blog at: https://www.abatementservicesllc.com/about/blog/2024/february/possible-fine-for-lead-rrp-rule-violation/

01/17/2024

In 2013, the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) published a fact sheet on asbestos. In outlines several items that a restoration contactor needs to know about the hazards of encountering asbestos. In this document, they list the Do’s and Don’ts you should do when you encounter asbestos. We would like to mention a few of them.

- DO: Perform an assessment of the materials that you suspect may contain asbestos. This needs to be done by a trained/qualified person, this could be either someone in your organization or a certified asbestos Inspector.
- DO: If the assessment comes back from the lab positive for containing asbestos, the materials need to be handled, removed, and disposed of according all EPA and OSHA guidelines.
- DO: If the samples sent to the lab to be tested for asbestos comes back positive, notify the owner and other interested parties of the positive test so a decision can be made of how to proceed.

- DON’T: If the building material is suspected to contain asbestos, do not disturb the materials or introduce air movement that could blow possible asbestos fibers into the air or other areas of the room/building.
- DON’T: Any debris removed from a restoration site that contains asbestos needs to be disposed of properly. Do not dispose of asbestos containing materials as regular building material waste.

Abatement Services is certified to remove and dispose of asbestos materials within all EPA & OSHA guidelines. We will take all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of your employees and your clients to minimize any possible exposure to asbestos.

Source: RIA Fact Sheet ~ “Asbestos Guidance for the Restoration Industry”

02/14/2023

There are many risks associated with asbestos. If it is inhaled, asbestos has been proven to cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Because of the danger associated with either disturbance or removal of it, proper precautions, procedures, and equipment should be used to safely identify and remove the hazard that is associated with asbestos.

The tools used to properly remove asbestos containing materials require professionals to wear a respirator and PPE to protect them during the removal process. A trained professional will know the proper way to protect themselves as well as others around them such as setting up a containment barrier with negative air to control any and all dust which may contain asbestos. Another piece of equipment used is a HEPA Vacuum to remove any dust created during the removal process.

If you have any questions about the asbetos abatement process, please give us a call at 208-589-7901. We are here to help with your asbestos abatement needs.