Asbestos Testing Near Me
The word “asbestos” conjures up thoughts of costly removal of the toxic material to severe and deadly effects on our health. Most of what we know about asbestos was overheard from television commercials offering legal representation for mesothelioma patients. Asbestos is a tricky material that, while extremely useful, can also be extremely dangerous. St. John Environmental Consulting wants you to understand what it is, what it can do, and who to call when searching “asbestos testing near me.”
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the name given to a group of several naturally occurring minerals with resistance to corrosion and heat. It is formed as mineral crystals collect in the craft of soft rock formations. They are mined and separated form the rock to prevent fracturing the thin fibers of asbestos. These fibers are sorted by length, which determines its commercial use.
What is asbestos used for?
Asbestos has several characteristics that make it useful. First, it is resistant to fire and heat. It has chemical resistance, tensile strength and can absorb sound. Asbestos is an excellent electrical insulator, too. Fibers can be woven into many different types of materials. Asbestos is predominantly found in building materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. It is also found in roofing and siding shingles, vinyl floor tiles, heat-resistant fabrics, products that cause friction including automobile brakes and clutches, and textured paint and patching compounds for ceilings and walls.
How long has asbestos been in use?
Archeologists trace the use of asbestos to pottery in Finland as far back as 2500 BC, and in Grecian lamp wicks in about 300 BC. Around 112 AD, an Ancient Roman scholar noted increasing illness among hundreds of asbestos miners. Asbestos gained popularity in the United States in the mid-19th century and was further fueled by the Industrial Revolution. It would the early 20th century when the U.S. government recognized that asbestos was a real and urgent health concern.
What makes asbestos hazardous?
Asbestos fibers are tiny- too small to be seen by the naked eye. When you breathe in these fibers, the cause buildup of scar-tissue in the lungs dramatically decreasing lung function. This disease process is called asbestosis. Asbestos also causes a form of cancer called mesothelioma and is also associated with other types of malignancy. All kinds of asbestos are known to cause cancer in humans, and all asbestos was banned in the United State on July 12, 1989.
How do find out if there is asbestos in my home or business?
When you remodel, demolish, repair or disturb materials that may contain asbestos, you need an asbestos inspection. When you search “asbestos testing near me” in greater St. Louis, click on the link to St. John Environmental Consulting. We are experts in asbestos testing. When you need the professional services of St. John Environmental Consulting, an AHERA accredited inspector will help you to determine the appropriate asbestos sampling plan and protocol to ensure that you protect yourself from health impacts and liabilities of asbestos, without wasting money on abating unnecessary materials.
St. Louis asbestos testing and inspection services from St. John Environmental Consulting are specifically designed to answer your safety and air quality concerns. We have over two decades of experience, and we prioritize customer satisfaction by delivering exceptional services to residential, commercial and governmental clients.
