Lead-based paint has been used in hundreds of different household items from furniture to toys to the paint on the house. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, “about two-thirds of all homes built before 1940 and one-half of the … Continue reading →
Within the realm of asbestos sampling, there are several analytical techniques. The most general way to test for asbestos-containing material is through Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). The first two methods, PCM … Continue reading →
Mold is a fungus found both indoors and outdoors with an estimated number of species ranging anywhere from ten thousand to three hundred thousand. Mold grows best in a moist, damp, humid environment. Mold reproduces by releasing spores that have … Continue reading →
Air sampling is used to detect the presence of asbestos fibers in an area. PCM and TEM are two methods used to analyze air samples associated with asbestos fibers. In addition to determining if the air in a particular area … Continue reading →
Unless a material is labeled as containing asbestos, you generally cannot tell if asbestos is present simply by looking at it. In the past, asbestos was added to many types of construction materials to strengthen, insulate, fireproof, and soundproof. For … Continue reading →
No level of asbestos exposure is known to be completely “safe,” however, minimizing your exposure to asbestos minimizes your risk for asbestos-related diseases. Low levels of asbestos can be found in the air from asbestos-containing rock formations, products that contain … Continue reading →
Damage to materials that contain asbestos can be a serious issue. Many materials containing asbestos pose no real threat as long as they remain undisturbed. As soon as asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, asbestos fibers can be released into the … Continue reading →
Asbestos is a very dangerous material, and asbestos fibers if inhaled or ingested, can cause very serious health problems, including severe respiratory diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Any asbestos materials that are damaged, deteriorated, or friable are … Continue reading →
One very important characteristic of asbestos material is that asbestos fibers can be so small that they cannot be seen without a microscope. For this reason, small asbestos fibers can remain in the air for days before settling. If asbestos … Continue reading →
Asbestos has been used for centuries for a wide variety of industrial uses. It has been used in over 3,000 commercially used products. Its lure was derived from its many qualities including fire resistance, insulating abilities as well as its … Continue reading →