Asbestos Removal

Since 1992, Microtech has become the leader in asbestos removal in metro New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area. We have removed asbestos in over 2,500 structures.

Techniques:

asbestos worker containmentDuring the asbestos abatement process, we create containment. The IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) is restored and maintained with a commercial air purification system (including HEPA filters). Both create a vacuum to assure no particle fibers escape. We use personal protective equipment PPE (hazmat suit, respirator, etc.) as we clean and remove the asbestos. Amended water or surfactant is sprayed for dust control. The asbestos is packaged and removed.

If needed, we can coordinate the asbestos inspection, sampling, permit, and transportation as well.

Asbestos removal can take 2-14 days with up to several dozen technicians. Commercial structures, schools, hospitals, and businesses usually have larger quantities of asbestos and take longer.

Our staff is fully trained and certified in Asbestos Removal. Because we take our business seriously, continued training and recertification is mandatory. We abide by all local, state, and federal guidelines.

Renovation Requirements for Asbestos:

From 1919-1990, about 70% of insulation in the US had asbestos.

In 1978, the EPA banned the use of Asbestos in construction. Installers, who already owned asbestos materials, were permitted to use them in construction until 1986.

Any building, landmark structure, or home built before October 1988, requires testing before any renovation or demolition.

If asbestos containing materials are disturbed, notification to the DEP, EPA, DOB, and DOL is required before further renovation is done. Once notified, the asbestos must be tracked at all times or a fine will be incurred.

Typically if the material is considered to be in a good state, undisturbed, “non-friable”, and inaccessible, the opinion of most is “leave it alone”.

Asbestos laden buildings alarm many real estate buyers. Multi-dwelling property buyers are concerned there will be fewer leased “tenants” or coop and condo buyers. Schools, hospitals, and home buyers are troubled by the added potential medical issues for younger children and those with a compromised immune system. The potential of the building being condemned and abandoned due to asbestos is frightening.

Regulatory requirements may become more stringent in time, so many buyers are proactive.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM):

Abrasive Rubber Resin & Sulfur Asbestos
Adhesives, Glue, Mastic Asbestos
Arch Shield Asbestos (in light fixtures and other electrical components)
Asbestos-Cement (AC) (roof shingle, siding, sheet, chimney furnace flue, and duct piping. Transite • Asbestos made by Johns-Manville was a popular brand)
Attic Insulation Asbestos
Automobile Asbestos (undercoating; brake pads, blocks, and linings; clutch facings; gaskets; parts; housings; resin; molded plastic body parts; radar scanner; air conditioner housing)
Brick Asbestos
Caulks and Sealers Asbestos (in Windows and Doors)
Ceiling Asbestos (acoustical tile, popcorn ceiling, trowelled coating)
Components, Parts, Wiring Asbestos (in aircraft, automobiles, buildings)
Concrete Asbestos
Dental Temporary Fillings Asbestos (using zinc-oxide)
Door Asbestos (gasket, panels, putty, glazing, caulks and sealers)
Fire Proofing Asbestos (spray coating on building steel, pipes, and concrete and insulation)
Fire Doors Asbestos
Floor Asbestos (asphalt, vinyl, linoleum in tiles or sheets, carpeting, padding)
Foot Powder Asbestos (talc dusting powder)
Furnace Asbestos (aircell pads, fabric vibration, insulation joint, return seam taping, paper tape, ducts, blanket)
Gypsum Board
HVAC Asbestos (duct vibration dampeners, duct and pipe insulating wrap, electrical wire insulation)
Insulation Asbestos (vermiculite, pipe, attic, board, block, boiler, wall, ductwork, electrical, water heater wrap, wall, sound and fire-proofing)
Joint Compound Asbestos
Latex Asbestos
Lubricant Asbestos
Metal Protection Asbestos (iron and metal ware)
Millboard and Rollboard Asbestos
Paint Asbestos (asphalt, silicate, textured, fire-proof and acid resistance paints)
Paper Asbestos (fireproof)
Pipe Insulation Asbestos (wrap, gasket, fittings, lagging, elbow mud, corrugated paper)
Roofing Asbestos (all types including roofing felt, shingles, tiles, flashing)
Road Surfacing Asbestos (rubber, asphaltic, silica, sulfur, zinc oxide, aluminous cement compounds)
Siding Asbestos (shingle, clapboard, and panels)
Silicate Binder Asbestos
Spackle Asbestos
Taping Asbestos (inside registers and compounds, paper tape)
Vibration Collars Asbestos
Wallpaper Asbestos (vinyl)
Water–proofing Asbestos
Window Asbestos (putty, glazing, caulks and sealers)
Wiring Coating Asbestos (inside heaters, electric stoves, toasters, theatre wiring)

Asbestos Cancer:

In 2015 in the US, there will be an estimated 221,200 new cases of lung cancer and 158,040 deaths – American Cancer Society. Asbestos illnesses can occur 10-30 years after exposure.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers creates an increased risk of cancers. Nose hairs and mucous don’t always keep the loose asbestos fibers (friable) from entering the lungs. Once in the asbestos fibers are in the lungs, they can permanently lodge and scar tissue can form around them. Over time, the lungs can lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.

Mesothelioma (Asbestos Cancer) – is a rare cancer that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen and is closely linked to asbestos exposure.

  • Pleural Mesothelioma — soft tissue surrounding the lungs (75%)
  • Peritoneal Mesothelioma — abdomen, lung, heart, and testicle membrane (10-20% of cases)
  • Pericardial Mesothelioma — heart lining tumors (1%)
  • Testicular Mesothelioma — outer lining of the testicle (less than 1%)

Mesothelioma Symptoms are shortness of breath (due to excess fluid in the lung’s lining), chest wall pain, weight loss, fatigue, anemia (decrease of red blood cells), wheezing, cough (sometimes with blood), and hoarseness. Symptoms can take 30 years after exposure to manifest.

Lung Cancer – There are 3 types of lung cancer:

  • Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (85-90% of lung cancers are this type) Squamous cell carcinoma (lung airways), adenocarcinoma (outer parts of the lung, slow growth), large cell carcinoma (any lung part and spreads quickly), adenosquamous carcinoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma
  • Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) (10-15%) Oat cell cancer; tends to spread quickly
  • Lung Carcinoid Tumor (fewer than 5%) Lung neuroendocrine tumors; grow slowly and rarely spread

Lung Cancer Symptoms are coughing up blood, weight loss, shortness of breath, chest pains.

Gastrointestinal Cancer: Larynx (voice box) Cancer, Pharynx (throat) Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Colon Cancer, and Rectum Cancer have been linked to asbestos exposure too.

Ovarian Cancer is also linked to asbestos.

Asbestos Disease:

Asbestosis – (type of pneumoconiosis) is a lung disease, which has chronic inflammation and scarring of the lungs. Asbestosis Symptoms include shortness of breath (Dyspnea) and a chronic cough. The symptoms can occur 10-20 years after exposure.

Definitions:

Asbestos Types:

  • Serpentine Asbestos is curly asbestos and has a spiral shape
    • Chrysotile Asbestos (“white asbestos”) accounts for 95% of asbestos in the US
  • Amphibole Asbestos has a straight needle shape and most potent in causing Mesothelioma
    • Crocidolite Asbestos (“blue asbestos”) most lethal
    • Amosite Asbestos (“brown asbestos”)
    • Anthophyllite Asbestos (yellow, “brown asbestos”)
    • Tremolite Asbestos (creamy off white to dark green asbestos) common in Vermiculite Asbestos
    • Actinolite Asbestos (white, grey, dark brown asbestos)

Vermiculite: Vermiculite Insulation contains asbestos. Vermiculite has shiny flakes and is light-weight, fire-resistant, and odorless. The most popular vermiculite manufacturers were Zonolite and Libby.

Asbestos fibers are microscopically small. The fibers, which seem to be visible to the naked eye, are actually threads of thousands of fibers. Each fiber is hundreds of times smaller than a human hair.

Friable is material containing flaking, loose, and/or fragmented asbestos.

Asbestos Survey determines the quantity and location of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). Renovations, demolitions, or any activity that will disturbs the asbestos require an asbestos survey.

Asbestos Benefits (previous): fireproofing, heat retardant, high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, sound absorption, electrical and chemical damage resistance, and heat, cold, and noise insulation.

Unfortunately, the medical problems far out way the benefits.