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.

The Effect of Electronic Waste on Children

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The advancement of digital devices has changed the world – mostly for the better. However, there is a growing issue of electronic waste or e-waste that is having a devastating effect, particularly on children. The buildup of e-waste over the past couple of decades has been enormous. The health effects are only now being fully seen, especially among children. 

What is Electronic Waste? 

E-waste is the term used to describe electronic products that are on the verge of no longer being useful or useable. This can include electronics such as TVs, smartphones, fax and printer machines, computers, etc. If any of these electronics break or become outdated, that is when they often become eligible for being refurbished or recycled. 

E-waste recycling is a massive market with facilities placed all around the world. It is estimated that more than 18 million children are engaged in e-waste recycling. Although recycling itself is a good thing, certain elements that can be found in electronics can also be harmful to humans, especially children, such as lead and mercury. Such exposure can hinder their mental development and create serious, long-term health issues. 

Electronic Waste Is A Growing Issue

The volume of e-waste around the world has grown by more than 20% just in the past five years. Today, it is estimated that the amount of e-waste created is the equivalent of filling up 350 cruise ships.

As the use of computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices continues to grow, so will the volume of electronic waste. With just over 17% being sent to proper recycling centers, the rest is dumped illegally. This exposes its harmful elements to adults and children. And while the effects on those living in third-world countries are the most apparent, cases of wrongful e-waste and contamination are growing in countries such as the United States and Europe as well. 

The effect on health is considerable. The effect that e-waste has on the environment is quite damaging. With more areas subject to illegal dumping, the underground market for e-waste materials continues to grow. That means more toxic chemicals being released into the environment making for a more dangerous world. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you have electronic or e-waste on your property, Brickley Environmental can help. We offer our knowledge, experience, and equipment that will identify and remove your waste. Our trained technicians understand how to safely remove waste from properties like yours. In addition, we offer several other services as well which include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Demolition
  • Hazardous Waste Removal 
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Remediation & More 

For additional information about e-waste, click here to view the EPA website.

How to Stay Healthy During Flu Season

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It is inevitable that during the colder months, sicknesses and germs are more prevalent. There is a multitude of actions that can be taken to prevent and reduce your risk of catching a cold, COVID-19, or the flu. Here are a few simple tips you can employ that may help you stay healthy this season.

Distance

Keep your distance from people who are experiencing symptoms. If you yourself are experiencing symptoms, it is important also to keep your distance from others. Another important prevention method to keep in mind, however simple it may be, is to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing.

Wash Hands to Remove Germs

One of the oldest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of germs is washing your hands frequently. Washing for at least 20 seconds is the most effective way to remove germs and prevent potential viruses from spreading.

The primary means of transmitting colds, COVID-19, and the flu is through contact with the droplets of infected people who talk, sneeze, or cough. If droplets of an infected person come in contact with your hands, this is an easy way for you to get sick as well. This is also why it is important to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.

Vaccines & Anti-Viral Drugs

Even some of the best preventative measures are not 100%. With that said, it is helpful to consider the following:

  • Getting vaccinated 
  • Using anti-viral drugs
  • Vitamins & Zinc
  • Getting plenty of sleep 
  • Eating a healthy diet 
  • Drinking plenty of fluids 

Clean and Disinfect Germs From Your Home, School, and Work

The cleaner you keep your home, the more difficult it is for viruses to survive outside of a human host. While cleaning is important to keep viruses from attaching to organisms or organic matter where they live longer, disinfecting destroy these viruses on contact. It is important to implement the below on a consistent basis.

  • Routine cleaning & disinfecting of all surfaces and frequently used objects
  • Providing disposable towels, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and soap 
  • Staying home when sick 

Why Call Brickley Environmental?

If you need remediation services, Brickley Environmental is here to help. Our knowledgeable, experienced staff will answer your call, listen to your needs, and provide you with the following services to address any problem you may be experiencing. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Hazardous Waste Removal
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Remediation
  • Demolition & More 

Call today and find out more about our services. We hope that you stay safe during the cold and flu season.

For more information on staying safe during this cold and flu season, click here to visit the CDC website.

Negative Effects of Lead Poisoning

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Lead is one of the more common metals present on earth. For over thousands of years, lead has been used for a wide variety of uses from manufacturing to recycling, smelting, mining, ammunition, paints, toys, cosmetics, and perhaps most commonly for the creation of lead-acid batteries. 

However, lead was soon learned to be poisonous to humans. This was not known for many years as it was commonly used to create pipes to distribute drinking water and added to paint which was applied in many homes and buildings. 

The Dangers of Lead Poison

The toxic effects of lead exposure are considerable, but they mostly affect young children. Lead poison can lead to permanent impacts on mental development. If levels are high enough, lead poisoning may cause death. At lower levels of exposure, children may experience mental function and intelligence impacts and even suffer from behavioral changes. 

The long-term effects for adults include damage to the kidneys and high blood pressure. For women who are pregnant, exposure to lead may lead to premature birth, low birth weight, and even miscarriages or stillbirths. 

While the effect on adults is serious, it is young children who are most at risk. Even the tiniest amounts of lead poison may have a profound impact. 

Common Locations for Lead

The presence of lead can be in many places. While plenty of work has been accomplished in removing lead from everyday items and products such as gasoline, it can be commonly found in the items listed below:

  • Paint: Lead was banned from paint in the 1970s, yet it is still present in many homes and buildings mostly because it has been painted over with new, lead-free paint. However, when the top layers of the paint are removed, it exposes the lead-based paint which may contaminate the air itself. 
  • Pipes: Water contamination may be the single largest source of lead poisoning left in the modern world. This may be due to a combination of lead pipes that have yet to be replaced to contaminated water sources where lead has been dumped or otherwise is present.  
  • Lead may also be present naturally, which makes it difficult to locate. And because even a small amount of lead exposure may develop into serious medical issues, finding such sources is paramount for the health of those living or working inside a contaminated home or building. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you suspect the presence of lead in your home, office, or facility, call the experts at Brickley Environmental. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to identify and remove lead from all types of buildings and structures. In addition, we offer the following services.

  • Abatement of Asbestos
  • Removal of Mold
  • Demolition
  • Removal of Hazardous Waste 

Lead poisoning is dangerous to come in contact with. If you believe that lead may be present in the paint or in the pipes, call Brickley Environmental. We will listen to your needs, explain our services, and help bring you peace of mind with our commitment to you. 

For more information on lead poisoning, click here to visit the CDC website.

Safety Tips for Attending School During COVID-19

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As we ease into a new school year, it is important to keep in mind that there are still risks of exposure to COVID-19. In order to limit the risk, here are some common tips to ensure the safety of you and your family.

Safety Benefits of Wearing Face Masks

There are various school policies currently in place for face masks. Whether it is a requirement or not, students can voluntarily wear a mask if they would prefer to. 

Face masks are most effective for those who have caught COVID and wish to limit its spread. It is recommended that teachers and children who have been exposed to COVID wear a face mask for at least 10 days. 

When planning for your child to wear a face mask to school, it’s important to ensure that it properly fits and is comfortable to wear. Be sure their mask is clean and they have a backup mask in case it gets misplaced or dirty throughout the day. Another tip we suggest is to label your child’s mask to ensure it doesn’t get traded or used by another child.

Safety Benefits of Washing Hands

Frequently washing your hands is still an effective measure against spreading germs and bacteria. This means using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. When combined with keeping hands away from the face, this also helps to slow the spread of the virus. 

Safety Benefits of Staying Home When Sick

If your child tests positive for COVID, they should stay at home. The symptoms of COVID can mimic symptoms of a common cold or flu depending on its severity so it is important to get tested as soon as your child feels sick. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

Whether you are running a business, school, organization, or household, Brickley Environmental offers the waste disposal and hazardous material removal that benefits you. We provide the following services: 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Removal 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal
  • Demolition & More 

At Brickley Environmental, we offer the services you need to free your property of unwanted materials. Call today and talk to our experts who will explain our services, answer your questions, and provide the right guidance so you can make the best-informed decision.  

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