The Dangers of Asbestos

Nielsen Environmental has been providing the Los Angeles area with safe and effective asbestos removal services for many years. Guided by an intact reputation throughout the community and a genuine desire to keep people safe from the hazards of asbestos, you can count on Nielsen Environmental to remove the material from your home or commercial building in the safest manner possible. Call today.

Why You Should Test a Home or Building for Asbestos

In general asbestos containing material is safe when it is not disturbed and intact. Although it is considered to be durable, asbestos does break down over time. When this happens or it is purposely disturbed, there is a risk of the hazardous particles being released into the air. If any of the following apply to you, you should have an asbestos removal company test the structure for asbestos:

• You are beginning a DIY remodeling project
• A natural or manmade disaster has occured and disrupted the structure
• The structure was built prior to 1990
• You have found worn, broken, cracked, or crumbled asbestos material

Common Materials the Contain Asbestos

Asbestos is a heat resistant substance that was once called the "miracle mineral". It was valuable to the building and construction industry which also meant that it was used in many products including:

• Roofing
• Siding
• Vermiculite insulation
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Drywall
• Cement sheeting
• Plaster
• Putty
• Caulk
• Plumbing fixtures
• Electrical switchboard panels
• Furnaces
• Fireplace insulations
• Boilers
• Pipe coverings
• + More

What You Should Do When You Suspect Contamination

If you believe you have found damaged asbestos containing materials, please take extreme caution and follow these tips.

• Do not touch any of the suspected material
• Do not sweep, vacuum, or dust the debris
• Do not remove the material on your own
• Keep children and pets away from the area
• Limit all activity in the area
• Call an asbestos removal company as soon as possible

The Importance of Asbestos Abatement

When materials containing asbestos are damaged, and not properly removed by an asbestos removal company, (also known as an asbestos abatement company) your life and the lives of others could be endangered when they have contact with the fibers, dust, and material. When you hire an asbestos removal company, you can feel confident in knowing the workers will be trained in things such as:

• Pre asbestos abatement activities
• Preparing the working area
• Constructing special decontamination units
• Using personal protection wear
• Decontamination procedures
• Safety considerations in and around the area
• Handling and disposing of asbestos

Quick Facts About Asbestos

• Inhaling or ingesting the material can result in life threatening, incurable illnesses such as mesothelioma
• Around 3,000 people per year are diagnosed with an asbestos related illness
• Approximately 10,000 people die every year from an asbestos related illness
• Asbestos fibers are 18,000 times smaller than a human strand of hair

Removing the Asbestos Once and For All

If you are concerned about the asbestos material in your home Nielsen Environmental can provide you with a comprehensive inspection of potentially contaminated areas. If we find asbestos, particularly that which is damaged, we can discuss what options might be available. Generally the best option is to have the asbestos removed as soon as possible. To learn more about our asbestos removal services, please give us a call today.