Asbestos is a term for a group of naturally occurring minerals that separate into fibers which may become airborne.
The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma (a formerly rare cancer strongly associated with exposure to amphibole asbestos), and asbestosis, making asbestos removal a very important service to maintain a healthy living/working environment. Asbestos fibers cannot be seen without a special microscope. Analysis by an accredited testing laboratory is the only way to know for certain whether a material contains asbestos.
Evergreen AES can provide sampling and analysis of materials to determine if they are asbestos containing and if asbestos removal is required. Fibers may be released from friable materials as a result of the normal breakdown in the integrity of the material due to progressive deterioration or from direct contact and damage.
The intentional or accidental disturbance of the materials in the course of routine maintenance, renovation, vandalism, water damage resulting from roof and plumbing lead, and vibration may cause movement, deterioration or delamiantion of friable materials, resulting in fiber release and exposure risks.
Asbestos removal (also known as asbestos abatement) should only be performed by trained and licensed contractors. All sampling, inspection, asbestos removal, encapsulation, or abatement work regarding Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) must be performed by licensed personnel in strict compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
Evergreen AES has on staff personnel certified and knowledgeable in asbestos removal in KY, OH, IN, and TN.
The presence of known ACM requires that employees who may come in contact with ACM (including maintenance and custodial staff) be trained according to the standards listed in 29 CFR 1910.1001. Care should be taken during the course of any maintenance, remodeling, or demolition that ACMs are not sanded, ground or cut or disturbed in any way that would cause the release of asbestos fibers without proper protective measures. Evergreen AES can assist clients in meeting the requirements of these OSHA regulations.