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.

How to Protect Against COVID-19 Omicron Variant

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With the first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 confirmed in California in late November 2021, the state is now preparing for the rise in COVID cases that is sure to follow. While gathering information about this new variant, health officials are already urging people in the state to follow current guidelines. 

The best way to deal with the omicron is to avoid it as much as possible. Preventative methods are still the best insurance against the effects of omicron. People are urged to continue wearing masks and maintaining social distancing to minimize the chance of contact. 

Protection from Omicron

If you are not sure what to do to protect yourself against omicron, here are a few simple steps you can take to help: 

  • Get vaccinated & boosted: You should get the vaccination and if you qualify, get the booster. This will not prevent you from getting omicron, but the studies so far demonstrate that in most people, it will lessen the effects of the virus. Current studies show that the effects of omicron are generally minimal for healthy adults under the age of 65. Seniors and those with compromising health conditions can also benefit from becoming fully vaccinated. 
  • Wear a mask indoors: The virus spreads quickly indoors, therefore wear your mask indoors even if you have been vaccinated. By wearing a mask indoors, you can minimize the possibility of transmitting the virus. 
  • Wash hands frequently & maintain social distancing: The most common way that people catch viruses is when they place their hands or fingers near the mouth, nose, and eyes. By sanitizing the hands, it kills viruses that are present. 

Exposure to Omicron

Get tested as soon as you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Stay at home if you test positive and maintain your social distancing even after you feel good enough to go back to work. Remember that the vaccine does not prevent the virus from infecting your body – it limits the symptoms which helps prevent a more serious condition from occurring. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

To assist in the fight against the COVID-19 omicron variant, you can contact the experts at Brickley Environmental. If you run a business, keeping your office or facility clean is paramount to its success. Let the experts at Brickley Environmental help you by giving them a call today. They have the knowledge, experience, and supplies to help lower the risk of dangerous viruses. They can ensure that you maintain a clean working environment. 

For more information surrounding the COVID-19 virus, click here to visit the CDC website.

Stay Safe When Renovating During COVID-19

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Whether you started a renovation project before COVID-19 and social distancing went into effect or you urgently need a plumber today, you may need to bring contractors into your home at some point. If you decide to move forward with a renovation or repair, you’ll want to be extra careful for the safety of both you and your contractors.

Have Online / Virtual Meetings When Possible

Many homeowners halted renovations when the pandemic hit. However, consultations, walk-throughs, and initial meetings are happening online. Talk to your contractors and ask if they’ve been using any virtual workarounds for providing estimates, quotes, and design work. A video call could help avoid at least one unnecessary trip inside the house.

Communicate with Your Contractors

Before you move forward, ask your contractors what precautions they’re taking in light of the pandemic.

Try asking the following questions:

●How do you plan to keep my family safe while you’re working here?

●Does your company have a written policy or procedure for performing work at private residences during the pandemic?

●Who will enforce those policies?

Your contractors may also want some assurance from you to make sure they’re entering a safe work environment. Be prepared to talk about your own protocol for cleanliness. Both you and your contractors should be following CDC guidelines. That includes wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently. Regularly disinfect high-contact surfaces like countertops and doorknobs and make hand sanitizer available at entry points to the house. And remember: You wouldn’t want a sick worker coming into your home, so don’t let a contractor work in your home if you or someone else in the house is sick.

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you suspect that your home may be contaminated with COVID-19, contact the professionals at Brickley Environmental. We have the knowledge and experience to identify and remove the virus that may be present. Over the years, we have worked with home and business owners just like you to ensure that their properties are safe from contamination. Call our offices today and we will listen to your concerns, explain our services, and inspect your property at your convenience. At Brickley Environmental, we understand the dangers of COVID-19 contamination and what it can do to the health of those living or working on the property.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit CDC.gov