Asbestos Testing & Inspection

Asbestos is a group of minerals found in rock and soil. It was regularly used in construction materials prior to 1980 because of its fire and heat resistance, tensile strength, and acoustic absorption capabilities.

Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is disturbed by repairs, renovations or demolition. Contaminated dust becomes airborne, and its fine particles can be easily inhaled and ingested. Humans can absorb the dust into their bodies, where it can reside for many years. Studies conclusively demonstrated that there are severe health risks associated with this chemical.

• Attic and wall insulation

• Vinyl floor tiles

• Linoleum

• The backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives

• Sheetrock

• Cement Board

• Roofing and siding shingles

• Textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings

• Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets

• Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape

• Stucco

• Acoustic Ceiling Material – Popcorn Ceilings

Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects.

Disease symptoms may take many years to develop following exposure.

Asbestos-related conditions can be difficult to identify. Healthcare providers usually identify the possibility of asbestos exposure and related health conditions like lung disease by taking a thorough medical history. This includes looking at the person’s medical, work, cultural and environmental history.

After a doctor suspects an asbestos-related health condition, he or she can use a number of tools to help make the actual diagnosis. Some of these tools are physical examination, chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests. Your doctor may also refer you to a specialist who treats diseases caused by asbestos.

Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are:

• lung cancer

• mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining of the lung, chest and the abdomen and heart

• asbestosis, a serious progressive, long-term, non-cancer disease of the lungs

Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling. In general, exposure may occur only when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air.

o Our testing process includes a visual examination of the area, the collection of air samples, and lab analysis of the samples using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM).

o We will author a finding report and can help coordinate the abatement process if needed.

Our certified inspectors handle testing on your jobsite quickly and accurately. We perform all of our inspections according to EPA guidelines.

If you need asbestos testing anywhere in New England, let APS Environmental Group be the solution to your concerns. Our focus is to provide our clients with quick response times, accurate testing and reporting. We are proud to offer all of these services to our clients at an affordable cost, regardless of the size or scope of your project. Contact us today for more information.