Removing materials containing asbestos can be dangerous to your health. Before beginning demolition or renovation, contact Alliance Environmental Services, Inc.  to determine whether asbestos is present and whether special precautions are needed. For more information about asbestos, call (530) 345-8562.

Asbestos is a natural silicate mineral that comes from the earth. Asbestos is the Greek word for miracle mineral. It was considered a miracle mineral because it will not burn or freeze and has a tensile strength stronger than steel.

Asbestos is commonly found in structures constructed before the early 1980s. Asbestos is often found in insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, plaster, ductwork, roofing shingles, adhesives, and many other materials. The materials are not dangerous if they are in good condition and undisturbed. However, damaging or improperly removing asbestos can release asbestos into the air where it can be inhaled.

Some people exposed to asbestos develop health issues ranging from scarring of the lining of the lungs to lung cancer to mesothelioma to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Often, the health issues aren’t apparent until years after the exposure.

Asbestos fibers are so small, lungs cannot expel them out of the body. As a defense, a person’s body produces mucus to bind affected cells to the wall of the lungs. The more asbestos fibers a person inhales, the more mucus and scar tissue the body produces, and the greater the risk for serious health complications.

Asbestos can only be identified through a sample analyzed by a certified laboratory. If you suspect that you have asbestos in your home or office that may present a health hazard, call Alliance Environmental Services. Do not obtain samples yourself.

Contact Alliance Environmental Services, Inc. at (530) 345-8562 for information about what treatment options are available.