Mold and Asbestos Assessments
Mold
Anderson Environmental Consulting maintains state-of-the-art instrumentation and provides experienced personnel for conducting routine to comprehensive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) surveys, studies, and investigations. AEC follows the industry accepted standards and recommended guidelines including, but not limited to those developed by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the New York City Department of Health guidelines.
AEC receives frequent requests for IAQ assessments from building owners,
office
and property managers, health and safety professionals, real estate
companies/agencies, childcare facilities, homebuilders, government
agencies, and
private residents. The majority of the requests involve addressing
mold-related problems. AEC' mold investigation surveys typically
consist of:
• Obtaining site-specific historical information regarding mold-related problems and
adverse health effect's complaints
• Inspecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and components
• Inspecting for indicators of mold growth (water leaks, moisture levels) and
identifying the source;
• Eliminating any other causal agent (for example, cleaning fluids, solvents, gas leaks)
• Testing and identifying molds in the air, and molds observed growing on surfaces or
growing within materials
• Evaluating the findings and applying them to peer-reviewed, industry consensus
guidelines
• Recommending appropriate corrective measures
Mold damage to home after a water pipe burst in winter
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain rocks. This mineral separates into strong, thin fibers that are not visible to the naked eye. Asbestos was commonly used in home building materials before the mid-1970s and occasionally until the late 1980s because it is strong, fire- and corrosion-resistant and a good insulator. Common uses of asbestos include the following:
• As a building material additive to enhance strength (for example, asbestos was added to concrete, asphalt, and vinyl materials in roof shingles, pipes, siding, wall board, floor tiles, joint compounds, and adhesives)
• As a fireproofing material applied on steel beams and columns during construction of multistory homes
• As a thermal insulation and as a means of controlling condensation
• As an ingredient in acoustical plaster
• As a component of a mixture of sprayed on ceilings and walls to produce a soft, textured appearance.
If the materials discussed above contain more than one
percent asbestos, they are considered asbestos-containing
materials (ACM). ACM can be friable or non-friable. When dry,
friable ACM can be crumbled or reduced to a powder by hand
pressure and presents a greater risk to human health than
non-friable ACM. When dry, non-friable ACM cannot be crumbled or
reduced to a powder by hand pressure.
If ACM is in good condition and left in place, it should not present health risks. However, if a building is going to be demolished, renovated, or remodeled, care should be taken to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air. Inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibers from friable ACM can cause health risks. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can become lodged in tissue for a long time and can cause cancer. Asbestos can also cause asbestos-related diseases or problems such as asbestosis, a progressive disabling and potentially fatal disease; mesotheliona, a rare cancer of the mesothelium, a thin tissue layer that lines body cavities and surrounds internal organs; and pleural plaques, scar tissue in the chest cavity. The number of fibers a person must inhale to develop asbestos-related disease is not known. At very low exposure levels (such as being in the same room as a cracked tile containing asbestos), the risks can be negligible. However, during renovation and removal activities, risks from exposure are greatly increased. Also, smoking greatly increases the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer. Almost all known cases of asbestos-related lung cancer occurred among people who smoked and were exposed to asbestos.
6655
Main Street, Ste. 110, Downers Grove, IL 60516
Telephone: (630) 725-0400
Facsimile: (630) 725-0401
E-mail: admin@anderson-env.com
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