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.

Cleaning Up the Mold in Your Home

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In your home, you may notice distinctive signs of mold infestation. The bad news is that what you see may only be the tip of the iceberg. This is because mold itself is everywhere, but it only becomes a danger to your home when it is combined with humidity. The presence of water causes the mold to replicate quickly and consume the organic materials in your home. 

Suppose your home has experienced any flooding, whether, from natural sources or interior ones such as a leaky pipe or water heater, there is a good probability that mold may be present and growing. You will need to conduct an inspection to see if there is any that may require hiring a professional if the area is difficult to reach or may be quite extensive in nature. 

Proven Steps to Clean Up Mold

The first step is to stop the source of the water leak or infiltration. That means fixing the pipe or waiting until the flooding stops before you take the next step. 

  • Dry Everything Out: By opening windows and turning on fans you can dry out the area rather quickly. This will slow down growth considerably and make it much easier to clean away. Dry out the area first before you clean. 
  • Scrub Thoroughly: Once the area is dry, you can use a simple detergent or bleach mixed with water to kill and remove it from the surface. Bleach is quite effective but can also damage the materials you scrub. 
  • Dry & Inspect: Once you have thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned any away, be sure to re-dry the area using fans. Once complete, inspect the area again to catch any mold that might have remained and is prone to growing again. 

Additional Tips for Cleaning Up Mold

Keep in mind that some materials may be so infested with mold that they will need to be removed, such as carpet or ceilings tiles. Porous materials may be next to impossible to clean, so tossing them out properly is the only answer. 

Do not paint or otherwise try to cover up surfaces with mold still present. Paint will likely just peel away, leaving you with an even bigger mess to clean. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you suspect that your home is infested with mold, call the experts at Brickley Environmental. Our staff will take your call, listen to your needs, and answer your questions so you can make the best-informed decision. 

Brickley Environmental, we have years of experience cleaning out homes just like yours. We also offer a wide range of other services that include asbestos abatement, removal of lead-based paint along with hazardous waste, and even providing demolition services. When you need mold removed from your home, call the professionals at Brickley Environmental today. 

For more information about mold, click here to visit the CDC website.