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What
is Asbestos? |
Asbestos, a
naturally occurring mineral has long been used
for its acoustical and fire resistance
properties. In Wisconsin, as in many other
states, asbestos can be found in many different
building materials because it makes them stronger and
more durable. Materials that contain
asbestos range from floor tile to linoleum to
insulation.
At first glance,
the benefits asbestos offers seem to make it an
excellent choice when choosing building
materials. Unfortunately, there is a
downside.
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What are the Dangers of Asbestos? |
Given the fact
that asbestos is so durable, inhaled fibers
adversely effect the respiratory system.
This can cause long-term respiratory illness and
lung cancer such as mesothelioma. The
danger is enhanced by the fact that asbestos
fibers are microscopic and can't be seen with
the naked eye. Asbestos emits no odors
either, so the only way to properly identify
asbestos is through laboratory analysis.
Due to the extremely
detrimental health effects of inhaled asbestos,
enforcement agencies such as OSHA and the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
regulate asbestos standards very strictly.
Improperly
disturbing building materials without first
knowing if they contain asbestos can have severe
effects on building occupant and worker health,
but it doesn't stop there. These improper
asbestos disturbances often also lead to costly
regulatory citations and lawsuits. Recent
rule changes in Wisconsin allow the DNR to cite
both the building owner and the operator
(contractor), meaning no one is safe from the
effects of improperly dealing with asbestos.
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How Can EMC Help? |
Environmental
Management Consulting, Inc. (EMC) has developed
proven solutions for all aspects of addressing
asbestos concerns.
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Asbestos Inspection |
Any renovation or demolition
project needs to begin with a
comprehensive asbestos
inspection For both safety
and regulatory reasons, most
projects require an asbestos
inspection prior to any work
being performed. By
retaining EMC, Wisconsin's
largest asbestos inspection firm
for your project's asbestos
inspection, you can be confident
that your project will be
completed safely, on time and on
budget.
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Asbestos Project Design / Management |
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Once identified, asbestos causes
no harm if left undisturbed.
However, if the asbestos must be
disturbed, proper technique and
procedures must be followed.
Removing asbestos improperly or
using a non-reputable contractor
often causes more harm than
good.
EMC
has successfully designed
thousands of effective asbestos
abatement projects to provide
cost-effective safe removal
scenarios. Our vast
experience in working with
architects, general contractors,
building owners, regulators and
remediation firms is unmatched
by any other asbestos consultant
in Wisconsin.
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Asbestos Training |
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Properly training your staff is
an important step in any
asbestos management plan.
Employees are most often in the
best position to prevent
building occupants' exposure to
asbestos.
EMC
can train your staff in asbestos
awareness or operations and
maintenance activities to
prevent more costly problems in
the future.
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