How Asbestos Exposure Can Cause Cancer

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Most companies in the US stopped using asbestos over forty years ago however, materials that contain asbestos are still found in millions of older buildings across the country. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that contains properties that block heat and dampen the spread of fire. Its fibers can be dangerous to humans when inhaled into the lungs and can potentially lead to cancer in individuals if exposed over a long period of time. 

Since asbestos is found in older buildings and is still used in small amounts in certain appliances and other devices, it is still possible to become exposed to asbestos. 

Where Does Exposure to Asbestos Happen? 

For the most part, exposure to asbestos occurs over a long period of time when working in buildings that have asbestos or generally being exposed to products that contain asbestos. Other possible exposure could occur during a disaster or if you live near a site contaminated with asbestos.

Until the early 1980’s ceiling and floor tiles, drywall, insulation, paint, and even cement contained asbestos. You can find small amounts of asbestos in automotive parts such as clutches, brakes, and other friction-associated materials. So, while the driver of a vehicle is most likely safe from asbestos exposure, a mechanic who works in garages or auto shops is more likely to be exposed. 

How Exposure Can Lead to Cancer

The microscopic fibers of asbestos that float in the air can be inhaled into the lungs or swallowed. The body can get rid of most of the fibers, but many can become permanently stuck. 

When the fibers accumulate over time, the result can be inflammation and damage to the DNA of cells. This can lead to cancers such as mesothelioma and other diseases that include:

  • Laryngeal, Lung, and Ovarian Cancer
  • Diffuse Pleural Thickening, Pleural Effusion, and Pleural Plaque
  • Asbestosis, Atelectasis, and Pleurisy 

Most cancers or diseases caused by exposure to asbestos take decades to develop. For individuals who are exposed to asbestos frequently due to their line of work or constantly being in older buildings can protect themselves to a certain degree by wearing the proper safety equipment. This includes respirator masks. However, the most effective method is to have the potential asbestos removed safely from the site. 

Why Call Brickley Environmental?

If you suspect that your building has asbestos, call the professionals at Brickley Environmental. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to identify and remove asbestos from your property. In addition to asbestos removal, Brickley Environmental offers additional services, including the following:

  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal 
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Remediation

Call the friendly, courteous staff at Brickley Environmental today. We will listen to your needs, answer questions about our services, and provide the services needed to ensure that the asbestos or other unwanted materials are removed. 

For more information about asbestos exposure and how it can cause cancer, click here to visit the National Cancer Institute website.

Asbestos Exposure and Coronavirus

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While the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause great concern, especially among the elderly and immunocompromised to catching the virus, many residents who have experienced exposure to asbestos may feel even more at risk.

The advent of COVID-19 only made a vulnerable population even more susceptible and combining asbestos exposure with it only makes things worse.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is noted for being fire-resistant. For many decades, asbestos was used in many buildings, factories, plants, and even housing units for its fire-resistant properties. It’s even been used in products containing talc, such as baby and body powders. 

While the first indications of the dangers associated with asbestos arose in the 1920s, it was not until the 1970s that the mineral was banned across the US. Today, there are still many buildings that were built in the 1970s or earlier that contain asbestos.  

Asbestos and Coronavirus

People who have been exposed to asbestos, even if they have not developed mesothelioma or other lung-related issues, are vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. This is because asbestos in the lungs damages the tissues, making viruses that cause respiratory problems more of a threat. For anyone who may have been exposed to asbestos, it raises the risk of complications caused by COVID-19.  

That makes it even more imperative to hire a professional company to inspect and remove any asbestos in your home or business. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you suspect that your home or business contains asbestos, call the professionals at Brickley Environmental. Armed with the knowledge, experience, and tools to identify and remove asbestos, Brickley Environmental offers its professional services to businesses and homeowners. 

Call today and the staff at Brickley Environmental will listen to your needs, explain our services, and conduct a proper inspection of your facility, building, or home at your request. Given the dangers of asbestos, it is best to act as soon as possible to protect those who live or work inside. 

For more information on asbestos, click here to visit the EPA website.

Protect Your Family from Exposure to Asbestos

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Asbestos is not easy to identify to the untrained eye. Unless it is labeled, it will normally take a trained specialist to identify whether the substance is asbestos. If you believe there has been exposure, it is advisable to call for an inspection of your home to be completely sure. 

A trained and accredited asbestos professional has the knowledge and tools to identify whether a substance is asbestos or not. If your home was built before 1978, it is possible that asbestos is present. Therefore, if you are planning on remodeling your old home or have noticed drywall or insulation that is falling apart, you should consider getting your home inspected for the presence of asbestos. 

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Over time, exposure to asbestos fibers in the air may cause the development of asbestos-related diseases. The most notable is mesothelioma, a vicious form of cancer that can only be caused by asbestos exposure. 

Asbestosis and lung cancer are two other potential diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure. However, it should be noted that asbestos can also be ingested which may cause issues in the throat, stomach, and even the colon. 

However, such exposure can only occur if the asbestos is compromised. Asbestos that is still tightly wrapped and in good condition poses no risk to anyone living inside the home. Only when this material is exposed to the open air should you be concerned about exposure.

What to Do

A home inspection is a good idea whether you intend on selling, remodeling, or not. Knowing what is in your home will help you make the best-informed decision. 

If you suspect that an area may contain asbestos, the best policy is to leave it alone. If such areas can be sealed off, then do so. Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum such areas as that can potentially increase the asbestos fibers and make them airborne. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If your home was built before 1978, it is possible that asbestos is present. While the chances of asbestos being in the home are much lower compared to a facility, you should call the experts at Brickley Environmental for further guidance. 

Brickley Environmental has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to properly identify and remove asbestos from your home. If you suspect asbestos is present give us a call today. 

For more info on asbestos, visit the EPA website here.

 

Mold Prevention

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mold

In outdoor, dry environments mold is an annoying allergen that may cause a few sneezes but is essentially harmless. However, when it finds its way inside a residence, building, or facility and lands on an organic surface, it can become a costly danger. This is especially true if the location is subject to moisture or humidity that allows the mold to reproduce rapidly. 

Left unchecked, the mold will spread and consume organic materials such as wood. The spores created will also cause health issues to arise for those who live or work inside. However, if it is not treated early, it may cost thousands of dollars in terms of damage and replacement. In some cases, homes and buildings have been condemned because of the infestation. 

The key is prevention which means taking the appropriate steps to ensure that it never grows inside your home or building. What follows are a few tips that can help you prevent infestation. 

Check for Leaks: Water leaking from your water pipes, water heater, or drains can cause mold to form and grow. Check over your pipes and eliminate small leaks before they become large problems due to infestation. 

Improve Ventilation: The key to keeping it from reproducing is to reduce the moisture or humidity levels in the air. That means installing proper ventilation in rooms that generate humidity such as the kitchen and bathroom. 

Mold-Resistant Paint & Drywall: When repainting or adding new drywall to areas of your home, particularly the kitchen and bathroom, use mold-resistant materials. Such materials will help keep it in check if it should find its way to the surface. 

Waterproof the Home: Simple techniques such as adding French drains to the foundation or kick-out flashing to the roof can prevent water from getting inside the home. 

But even if you perform all the prevention techniques, there is still the possibility of flooding. 

Flooding

One of the most common ways for mold to reproduce in your home is after a flooding event. Whether caused by precipitation, a break in a pipe, an outside body of water entering the home, or a backup in the drain, it creates the proper conditions to grow. 

It becomes vital to clean up the water and contaminants that have entered. Once the water has been removed, the home must be well ventilated and dried using fans to ensure that any mildew that has not been removed does not have the moisture to grow and reproduce. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

Call Brickley Environmental today and find out more about their mold removal services. They can provide the guidance you need to make the best-informed decisions about how to prevent or remove mold from your home, office, or facility. 

For more information on mold, click here to visit the CDC’s website.

To learn more about mold from Brickley environmental, click here.

Lead Hazard

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If you live in a home that was originally painted with lead paint, some of the lead may still be around underneath layers of new paint. When exposed, it may cause lead-poisoning issues that mostly affect children but can affect adults as well. 

Where to Look for Lead

Most lead paint was used in the following areas. 

  • Bathrooms, Kitchens, and Floors
  • Baseboards, Stairs, and Windows
  • Porches, Exteriors, Woodwork and Trim 

Such areas are often painted over numerous times over the years, so the paint may still be trapped under the surface. However, if the area is subject to impacts, friction, or deterioration, then the underlying paint may be exposed. 

How to Maintain the Condition of Your Paint

If you suspect that lead paint is present in your home, then you can create a strong barrier to help ensure that it never gets exposed to the surface. A good place to start is by keeping the layers of protection over old paint by touching up from time to time areas that may be deteriorating. 

Baseboards: You can fully remove the baseboards and replace with new ones. Also, you can cover the baseboards with contact paper, duct tape, or paint over them again. 

Doors: Use felt bumpers on the edges of the doors. Or, you can use duct tape to cover the edges which are at most risk of exposure. If you suspect that lead paint may be underneath, consider removing the door entirely and replacing with a new one. 

Floors & Stairs: Rugs and carpet can reduce, if not eliminate the friction caused by foot traffic. Adding a runner to the stairs can also reduce the possibility of creating lead dust. 

Windows: Use contact paper to cover window trims and surfaces that may have contaminated paint. You can also use duct tape as well. Try to minimize the opening and closing of windows as much as possible to reduce impact. 

This means identifying areas subject to moisture which may cause the paint to fall apart. And, do not remove any paint which might create dust which contains lead. 

You will need a professional removal service to eliminate the product from your home. That is where Brickley Environmental can be of service. 

Let Brickley Environmental Help

You can get peace of mind when calling the professionals at Brickley Environmental. If you believe that lead may be present on your property or if it is coming in from another area, Brickley Environmental can find out thanks to their expert services. 

For more information on lead poisoning, visit the CDC’s website here.

Another article about the dangers of lead from BrickleyEnv can be found here.