Older Buildings Should Get Tested for Asbestos Prior to Demolition

Hire professional asbestos removal firms for jobs in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other cities.

Because of the dangers associated with asbestos, municipalities generally require that people have buildings tested for asbestos prior to demolition. Asbestos in buildings can endanger people’s health during demolitions and renovations, as well as contaminate the surrounding ground, water and air. In many cases, building departments have halted work on job sites because of the failure of contractors to get asbestos testing. Developers and general contractors in South Florida can hire asbestos removal miami businesses for testing of buildings, houses and job sites in Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hialeah, Homestead, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and other area locations.

Asbestos used in the construction of buildings and structures across South Florida in past decades can pose serious health risks to people who inadvertently inhale or ingest the substance. While modern buildings typically do not contain asbestos, for many decades, builders used the substance because of its positive attributes, including resistance to fire. When asbestos breaks down, which can occur during demolitions and renovations, its microscopic fibers can become airborne, putting people at risk of a number of diseases and health conditions. Companies that perform asbestos abatement hollywood fl work can safely secure and eliminate asbestos from buildings before they undergo demolition or renovations, making these projects safer for the people who perform the work and safer for surrounding properties.

Builders and entrepreneurs should have properties like condominiums, hotels, apartment buildings, factories, warehouses, schools, strip malls and restaurants tested for the presence of asbestos before commencing renovations and demolitions of these structures to avoid costly fines and building delays and to ensure safe working conditions for workers on site. Structures built prior to the 1980s likely contain asbestos, as builders commonly used the material in new construction before the ‘80s. Failure to test for asbestos or properly dispose of it can lead to steep fines.

Lead a Health Danger in Schools Across the Country

Many schools across the country have tested positive for high lead levels.

Reports about elevated lead levels at schools across the country have alarmed public health advocates, teachers, school administrators and parents. Young children face increased risks of developing serious health problems due to exposure to lead from lead water pipes, lead paint and other sources. Routine tests of the water in water fountains in a handful of schools have revealed elevated lead levels. Since the water crisis in Flint, Mich., many people have paid more attention to lead poisoning and lead exposure. Although lead water pipes do not necessarily represent a danger to South Florida residents, they could endanger the health of people in other parts of the country. People in South Florida places like West Palm Beach, Miami, Boca Raton, Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale who suspect that they have lead poisoning can contact top lead remediation south florida businesses across the area to address this potential health hazard.

Companies that offer lead abatement services for public buildings in Miami like schools, libraries and courthouses can help to alleviate concerns about lead levels in such facilities. Administrators and other public officials can ensure the safety of students, employees and the general public by hiring licensed lead removal miami companies to treat the pipes and prevent lead from leaching into the water. In the case of lead-based paints, these companies professionally and safely remove the paint from affected surfaces.

Lead can cause severe health problems for people of all ages. Many health professionals consider any level of lead exposure harmful. Young children can experience developmental delays and permanent
damage to their digestive systems, nervous systems and muscular-skeletal systems. Many children exposed to lead also have behavioral problems. Adults exposed to lead may have a wide range of systems, including constipation, headaches, depression, forgetfulness, nausea, infertility, memory loss, fatigue, abdominal pain and irritability.

Companies Should Account for Asbestos Before Demolishing Structures

Many older buildings contain asbestos, which can
contaminate surrounding areas during demolition.

In the name of promoting development and progress, numerous communities and municipalities encourage people and companies to renovate and develop properties and parcels of land that have fallen into disrepair. Vacant and foreclosed properties represent missed opportunities for cities to increase their tax bases as well as blights that may scare away potential investors and residents. In many cases, builders will want to “demo” existing buildings and build anew from the ground up. However, demolishing older structures, particularly ones built prior to the 1980s, may lead to asbestos contamination, as many buildings and homes constructed before 1980 likely contain asbestos. Builders across South Florida can hire asbestos remediation firms to eliminate asbestos from buildings in Hollywood, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other locations. Businesses that perform asbestos abatement miami work can ensure that asbestos does not get spread during the demolition process.

Asbestos can cause serious harm to people’s health, especially if exposed to asbestos fibers over an extended duration. Researchers and health experts have indisputably linked asbestos exposure to the development of cancer, particularly mesothelioma. Other diseases linked to asbestos exposure include asbestosis and lung cancer. Even short-term exposure to asbestos can cause breathing complications, coughing and shortness of breath.

A number of cities and municipalities have developed guidelines and regulations that require developers and general contractors to address potential asbestos within structures and in the ground prior to tearing down old structures and constructing new buildings. Broward County, for instance, requires builders to comply with federal standards and complete pertinent forms. Developers in the area can turn to asbestos removal fort lauderdale companies for help in eliminating asbestos from structures and the ground and complying with local rules and laws. Such firms help builders protect the health of their employees, the safety of surrounding communities and the health of future occupants.

Hire Asbestos Professionals to Test for and Eliminate Asbestos

Known to cause malignant forms of cancer and respiratory diseases, asbestos has caused health problems for people across the country and around the world due to its presence in houses, office buildings, courthouses, apartment buildings, condominiums and other structures. For decades, builders and construction companies used asbestos extensively in single-family homes, warehouses, shopping centers, strip malls and other structures because of the positive attributes of the substance, such as its fire resistance, soundproofing and other qualities. A large percentage of structures built before the 1980s, when its use largely phased out, could contain asbestos. Unfortunately, this means that many homes and workplaces across South Florida may have this dangerous carcinogen in ceilings, flooring, walls and other areas. South Florida businesses and residents can turn to professional asbestos testing south florida firms to determine whether their residences and premises bear this harmful material.

Its widespread use in the building of all kinds of structures means that asbestos could potentially threaten the health of people living in all areas of South Florida, including Miami-Dade County, Broward County locations like Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood and Palm Beach County cities like Delray Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Although asbestos often does not affect people’s health, and many people can live in asbestos-laden homes for years without adverse health effects, the substance can rear its ugly head and cause severe health problems for people during renovations, demolitions and remodeling projects. Such instances can allow asbestos fibers to get released into the air. Prior to renovations and remodeling projects, people may want to hire asbestos abatement broward companies to find and remove this hazardous substance.

People in South Florida should only hire licensed and accredited asbestos firms to perform this type of work. Licensed by the state, these businesses have to meet professional standards and criteria to stay in business.

Asbestos can Contaminate Soil, Endangering People in Affected Areas

Soil contaminated with asbestos poses serious dangers to people's health.

In numerous cases, across South Florida and around the world, asbestos remediation companies have had to extract asbestos from contaminated grounds. Asbestos, a well-known carcinogen that occurs naturally in certain locations, became a heavily-used building material during the 20^th Century because of its resistance to fire, sound-proofing characteristics and insulation properties. Numerous industries also used asbestos. However, years or even decades later, asbestos in the environment can put people’s health at risk. In some locations, asbestos in the soil can make potential building sites unsuitable and unsafe for development. Prior to developing properties, general contractors should have the grounds tested for asbestos. Businesses that perform asbestos removal miami work can eliminate asbestos from construction sites across Miami-Dade County, including locations like North Miami, Hialeah, Little Havana, Doral, Coral Gables, Miami Beach and Homestead.

Previous industries and activities, including mining and manufacturing as well as illegal dumping, can render lands in Palm Beach County and beyond unsafe due to asbestos contamination. Top asbestos abatement palm beach firms can clean up contaminated sites in locations like the Acreage, Greenacres, Boca Raton, Wellington, West Palm Beach and Lake Worth, getting rid of asbestos in the ground and in the water. Property owners can hire state-licensed and insured asbestos remediation firms to test for the presence of asbestos in dirt and bodies of water on their properties.

Asbestos exposure, especially over long periods of time, can cause permanent damage to people’s lungs and other organs, and lead to life-threatening health conditions like mesothelioma and stomach cancer. The substance becomes especially dangerous when its microscopic fibers get inhaled or ingested by unsuspecting victims. Children who play outdoors in contaminated areas may get exposed to asbestos, leading to health problems years or even decades after exposure. Other health problems associated with asbestos exposure include asbestosis, wheezing and lung cancer.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses Affect Thousands Each Year

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma and other diseases.

Although its use has widely vanished in recent decades, asbestos continues to impact the lives and health of people across the United States, including right here in South Florida. Buildings constructed before the 1980s in South Florida likely have traces of asbestos, a once commonly-used building material that can cause respiratory ailments as well as forms of cancer like mesothelioma. Residents in places like Boca Raton, Hollywood, Hialeah, Miami, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale can hire asbestos testing South Florida firms to evaluate their houses, condominiums and apartment buildings and determine if they contain asbestos. Businesses that offer asbestos removal miami services can help local government officials, businesses and residents eliminate asbestos from residential properties, office buildings, courthouses, libraries and other structures in places like Wynwood, Bal Harbour, Little Haiti, Little Havana, Homestead, South Beach, Coral Gables and Miami Beach.

Each year, thousands of people across the nation develop diseases caused by their past exposure to asbestos, underscoring the prevalence of this harmful substance. Older buildings and homes in places such as Sunrise, Plantation, Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Coconut Creek, Hallandale Beach, Davie, Miramar, Pompano Beach, Lauderhill, Parkland and Pembroke Pines may have asbestos in different parts of their structures. Fortunately, leading asbestos abatement fort lauderdale firms across the area can identify and properly remove asbestos from schools, post offices, city halls, apartment complexes, condos, townhouses and other locations where it may exist.

Long-term asbestos exposure can cause severe health complications that in many cases prove fatal. Most commonly, asbestos victims inadvertently inhale asbestos fibers, leading to scarring of the lungs, asbestosis, lung cancer and other related conditions. Asbestos can also cause cancers of the stomach and other organs. Although short-term exposure to asbestos often does not lead to serious health problems, people may still ant to avoid all contact with asbestos fibers.

Popcorn Ceilings Represent Another Potential Source of Asbestos in Homes

Popcorn ceilings in homes, especially those built before the 1980s, may contain asbestos, a potentially harmful substance.

Although asbestos does not pose a threat to people when stable, this highly toxic substance can cause serious harm to people’s health when its fibers become airborne, and this dangerous building material lurks in many homes across South Florida. Home builders often used asbestos or materials that contain asbestos in various aspects of construction, including in flooring, insulation and ceilings. The popcorn ceilings found in older homes across the area, in locations like Boca Raton, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hialeah, West Palm Beach and Jupiter, may include asbestos. Popcorn ceilings installed before the 1980s typically have asbestos, potentially putting people at risk of asbestos exposure when the ceilings get damaged or disturbed. Businesses that offer asbestos abatement miami services can help homeowners address asbestos concerns throughout their homes. These firms help customers identify asbestos in condominiums, apartment buildings, houses and other structures.

The use of asbestos-laden popcorn ceilings largely phased out in the 1980s, but builders used such ceilings for decades in buildings across Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County and across the nation. Unfortunately, many older townhouses, villas, condos and houses built in the decades prior to the 80s carry this potentially dangerous building material. Contact companies that offer asbestos removal fort lauderdale services to learn more about the process and cost of eliminating asbestos from residential buildings, commercial locations and other places.

Exposure to asbestos, particularly long-term asbestos exposure, can lead to serious medical problems, including some that can prove fatal. Asbestos fibers can do substantial damage to people’s lungs, as well as cause different forms of cancer. Some people exposed to asbestos have developed diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and numerous respiratory conditions. Breathing in asbestos fibers may not lead to immediate symptoms, but people may develop medical problems years or even decades later.

Consider hiring asbestos remediation companies to find and get rid of asbestos in your South Florida home.

Asbestos Exposure Remains a Potential Danger in Many Schools

Many Older Schools Contain Asbestos

Asbestos in schools puts teachers and students at risk of developing serious health problems down the road.

In many schools across South Florida, particularly schools built before 1980, asbestos lurks in ceilings, flooring, walls, insulation, ventilation and other areas of buildings, potentially exposing children, young adults and staff members to dangerous levels of harmful asbestos fibers. School administrators and school district employees can bring in licensed and leading asbestos removal south florida companies to assess the threat of asbestos exposure and safely remove this dangerous compound from school buildings and classrooms when necessary. The federal Environmental Protection Agency requires public schools and private schools to undergo asbestos inspections every three years.

Public and private high schools, middle schools, elementary schools and pre-schools in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens and other nearby municipalities can rely upon the services of asbestos abatement palm beach firms to test for the presence of asbestos and eliminate it as needed to keep students, staff, administrators and teachers safe. Asbestos testing and asbestos removal become crucial in the event of building demolitions and renovations, which can cause asbestos fibers to become airborne, endangering the health of people in the area.

Schools Need to Test Asbestos Every 3 Years

Schools, colleges, universities and community colleges should regularly test for the presence of asbestos and other harmful substances, including mold and lead, to ensure the safety of pupils, administrators, staff and educators. A safe and sanitary learning environment benefits all parties. Taking precautions such as mold remediation, lead testing and asbestos abatement can lead to fewer illnesses and absences for students and teachers alike, and may improve academic performance. Exposure to asbestos can result in serious illnesses and medical conditions later in life, such as mesothelioma and other types of cancer.

Many teachers have faced high risks of asbestos exposure working in aging schools for decades, and, as a result, teachers have experienced higher rates of mesothelioma than the general population.