Asbestos Removal Services
Alpha Restoration is honored to serve the people of Menifee with exceptional asbestos removal services. Our well-established, locally operated company is owned by Bobby Moise. He is committed to exceeding customer expectations with the highest-quality services, and the rest of the Alpha Restoration team feels the same way. Everyone you encounter will be equally trustworthy, skilled, and dependable, which translates to outstanding service each and every time. Contact our fully insured and licensed company today and take the first step toward moving past your asbestos problem.Complete Asbestos Removal
Where is asbestos most frequently found?Asbestos is commonly found in various building materials due to its historical use in construction for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. Older buildings, particularly those constructed before the 1980s, are more likely to contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Today, regulations require careful handling and management of ACMs during renovations or demolitions to prevent the release of hazardous fibers into the air, emphasizing the importance of asbestos awareness and testing in older structures. The following areas are the most common locations of asbestos:
- Attics
- Vinyl Floor Tiles
- Roofing & Siding Shingles
- Textured Paint and Patching
- Walls and Floors Around Wood Burning Stoves
- Hot Water and Steam Pipes
- Oil and Coal Furnaces
- Heat-Resistant Fabrics
What was the original purpose of asbestos?
Asbestos is known for its heat resistance and durability, and it was widely used in construction and manufacturing from the late 19th century through much of the 20th century. It was valued for its ability to insulate against heat and sound, which made it seem ideal for various applications. Asbestos found its way into building materials like drywall, joint compounds, and roofing materials such as cement sheets and shingles. It was also incorporated into acoustic ceiling tiles, textured coatings for fireproofing, and vinyl tiles used in flooring. It even found use in consumer products like artificial snow, toasters, vehicle brake pads and clutch facings, fire-resistant fabrics, and hairdryers!The heat-resistant properties of this mineral once made it a favored choice for insulation, commonly found in pipe insulation, thermal insulation boards, and attic insulation. It was also a very affordable material, which made it all the more appealing. Unfortunately, the health risks associated with asbestos fibers, including severe respiratory illnesses and cancers such as mesothelioma, were not widely understood or acknowledged for many years. This led to its extensive use in construction and industry without adequate safeguards, thereby unknowingly exposing countless workers and occupants of buildings to potential harm.
What impacts can asbestos have on human health?
Asbestos is uniquely threatening to human health because of its microscopic fibers. When these fibers are disturbed, they quickly enter the indoor air. They can be inhaled, lodge deeply into the lungs, and cause serious illnesses. The fibers may look harmless, but they are proven to be quite dangerous. Sadly, many people who have been exposed to asbestos don’t realize they were negatively affected until years or even decades later, which makes prevention and early detection essential - yet incredibly difficult. Many former construction workers who previously handled and installed asbestos have since been diagnosed with cancers like mesothelioma or diseases such as asbestosis. For these reasons, it’s essential that you contact the pros at Alpha Restoration at the first sign (or suspicion) of asbestos. You should never touch or attempt to remove it yourself because of the serious health risks listed below.Asbestosis
When people are repeatedly exposed to asbestos fibers, they can develop a chronic lung condition called asbestosis. This condition is associated with lung tissue scarring and inflammation, which can cause diminished lung function, breathing problems, and a lower quality of life. Asbestosis often remains undetected for years following asbestos exposure because symptoms tend to emerge long after the initial contact, leaving individuals unaware of their condition until much later.
Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing mesothelioma - a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and/or heart. Those most vulnerable include individuals who worked directly with asbestos in occupations such as construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing, as well as their families who may have been exposed secondhand through asbestos fibers brought home on work clothing. Smokers are also at a significantly higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the affected areas, but commonly include chest pain, shortness of breath, and persistent coughing. Diagnosis often occurs decades after initial exposure, as symptoms may not manifest until the cancer is in advanced stages.
Other Forms of Lung Cancer
Asbestos exposure is also linked to an increased risk of other types of lung cancer. This happens because asbestos fibers, when inhaled, can irritate and damage lung tissue over time, leading to the development of cancerous cells. Similar to mesothelioma, lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure often presents symptoms long after initial contact, sometimes several decades later. Common symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. Diagnosis typically occurs at advanced stages, complicating treatment options and prognosis.
Other Health Problems
Asbestos exposure can lead to various other serious health complications. One significant condition is pleural plaques, where thickened areas of scar tissue develop on the lining of the lungs (pleura). While pleural plaques themselves may not cause symptoms, their presence indicates prior asbestos exposure and can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties or chest discomfort. Another risk is pleural effusion, where excess fluid accumulates in the pleural space around the lungs, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Asbestos exposure also increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancers, including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum. These cancers can develop due to swallowing asbestos fibers that migrate from the lungs to the digestive tract, causing inflammation and cellular damage over time.
What does asbestos removal entail?
The asbestos removal process requires several critical steps to ensure safe and effective handling of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) because when they’re intact and undisturbed, they pose a much smaller risk. It begins with a thorough survey to identify the presence and condition of ACMs, determining the extent of potential fiber release risks. A comprehensive risk assessment follows, evaluating the type of asbestos, its condition, and the surrounding environment to plan appropriate removal strategies.Isolation of the work area is crucial to prevent asbestos fibers from spreading to unaffected areas. This often includes sealing off the site and using negative air pressure systems to contain airborne particles. Wet methods involve spraying ACMs with water to suppress dust and minimize fiber release during handling. Encapsulation may be employed for intact ACMs, where a sealant is applied to the material to prevent fiber release over time.
Workers involved in asbestos removal wear specialized personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, coveralls, gloves, and eye protection, to safeguard against inhalation and skin contact with asbestos fibers. Strict handling and disposal protocols are also followed to minimize exposure risks and environmental impact. ACMs are carefully packaged, labeled, and transported to licensed disposal facilities designed to handle hazardous materials.
By adhering to these meticulous procedures and utilizing advanced safety measures, the asbestos removal professionals at Alpha Restoration mitigate the health risks associated with asbestos exposure and ensure compliance with regulatory standards for environmental and occupational health protection.
What does asbestos testing entail?
Asbestos testing is a critical process that focuses on detecting and evaluating asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings and to assess the risk of airborne asbestos fiber exposure. The procedure employs two methods - bulk sampling analysis and air sampling analysis. Bulk sampling involves carefully collecting material samples, such as insulation or floor tiles, using specialized tools that are proven to minimize fiber release. These samples are then transported to accredited laboratories for analysis using techniques like polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify and count the asbestos fibers.Air sampling assesses airborne asbestos levels in environments where ACMs may be disturbed or deteriorating, leveraging calibrated pumps and filters to capture fibers over specific intervals of time. Analytical methods like phase contrast microscopy (PCM) or TEM provide quantitative data on asbestos concentrations, which proves crucial for compliance with regulatory exposure limits set by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA recommends testing suspect materials if they are damaged or if renovation or demolition activities are planned. These actions can release asbestos fibers that, if inhaled, pose severe health risks (detailed above). Properly conducted testing involves stringent safety protocols, including PPE for technicians and strict containment measures to prevent cross-contamination.
Effective management of ACMs, guided by accurate testing results, allows for informed decisions on safe handling, encapsulation, or removal by licensed professionals. Regular monitoring and compliance with regulatory standards ensure ongoing safety for building occupants, highlighting the importance of proactive asbestos management to safeguard public health and maintain indoor air quality. Given the complexity and risks involved in this process, we urge you to contact Alpha Restoration before you even touch areas you think might contain asbestos. We are honored to play this important role in keeping you and your loved ones safe and healthy.
Call Alpha Restoration today at 951-850-9450 to learn more about our asbestos removal services!
