What is Asbestos and Where is it Found?

Asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Its strength, durability, and resistance to heat and chemicals made it a popular choice in a wide array of building materials for many decades. Common locations where asbestos might be found in older homes include:

• Insulation: Attic and wall insulation, especially those containing vermiculite.
• Flooring: Vinyl floor tiles, sheet vinyl backing, and adhesives.
• Roofing and Siding: Shingles and siding materials.
• Ceiling and Wall Treatments: Textured paints (popcorn ceilings) and patching compounds.
• Pipes and Furnaces: Insulation around hot water pipes, steam pipes, and furnaces.
• Cement Products: Asbestos cement sheets and pipes.

It’s crucial to remember that you often can’t tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. If you suspect asbestos in your Boise home, professional testing by a certified asbestos inspector is necessary.

The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibers can become airborne and easily inhaled. These fibers can lodge deep within the lungs, causing significant health problems over time. The health risks associated with asbestos exposure are serious and well-documented. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Diseases linked to asbestos exposure include:

• Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease characterized by scarring of lung tissue, leading to breathing difficulties.
• Lung Cancer: Exposure to asbestos significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, and this risk is even higher for smokers.
• Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest cavity, or abdomen, almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
• Other Cancers: Asbestos exposure has also been linked to cancers of the larynx, ovaries, pharynx, stomach, and colorectum.

Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases often don’t appear for many years, sometimes decades, after initial exposure. This latency period makes early detection difficult and underscores the importance of preventing exposure in the first place.

Quick ‘Did You Know?’ Asbestos Facts

The Asbestos Abatement Process: What to Expect

Asbestos abatement is the process of safely removing or encapsulating asbestos-containing materials to prevent fiber release. This is a highly regulated and complex procedure that should only be performed by trained and certified professionals like those at Apex Restoration. Attempting DIY asbestos removal can put you, your family, and even your neighbors at significant risk. The general steps involved in professional asbestos abatement include:

1. Inspection and Assessment

A certified asbestos inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of your property. Samples of suspected materials will be taken and sent to a lab for analysis to confirm the presence and type of asbestos.

2. Developing an Abatement Plan

If asbestos is confirmed and poses a risk, a detailed abatement plan will be created. This plan outlines the scope of work, containment measures, removal methods, air monitoring protocols, and disposal procedures, all in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

3. Area Preparation and Containment

The work area will be completely sealed off from the rest of your home using plastic sheeting and negative air pressure machines. This creates a controlled environment to prevent asbestos fibers from spreading.

4. Asbestos Removal or Encapsulation

Trained technicians, wearing specialized personal protective equipment (PPE), will carefully remove or encapsulate the ACMs. Wet methods are often used to minimize dust generation during removal. Encapsulation involves sealing the asbestos material with a durable coating to prevent fiber release, and is typically only an option if the ACM is in good condition.

5. Cleaning and Decontamination

After removal, the work area is meticulously cleaned using HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums and wet-wiping techniques. All tools and equipment are also decontaminated.

6. Air Monitoring and Clearance Testing

Air samples are taken during and after the abatement process to ensure that asbestos fiber levels are within safe limits. Clearance testing must be passed before the containment area can be dismantled and the space deemed safe for re-occupancy.

7. Proper Disposal

Asbestos waste is considered hazardous material and must be carefully packaged in sealed, labeled containers and transported to an approved landfill specifically licensed to accept asbestos.

Asbestos Abatement in Boise and Idaho Regulations

In Boise and throughout Idaho, asbestos abatement is subject to regulations enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). These regulations, including the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), dictate proper handling, removal, and disposal procedures. For instance, demolition projects, even if no asbestos is thought to be present, often require an EPA NESHAP Notification Form to be submitted. When asbestos is present, licensed contractors must be used for removal prior to demolition or renovation. The City of Boise also has its own Asbestos Management Program for city-owned buildings, emphasizing compliance with EPA and OSHA regulations. Homeowners undertaking renovations or demolitions should be aware of these requirements and ensure they hire qualified professionals like Apex Restoration who understand and adhere to all applicable Idaho asbestos regulations.

Idaho does not have its own state asbestos certification program but recognizes valid certifications from other states that meet EPA standards. It’s crucial to verify the credentials of any contractor you hire for asbestos abatement in Boise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Glossary of Asbestos Terms

• Abatement: Procedures to control fiber release from asbestos-containing materials in a building or to remove them entirely.
• ACM (Asbestos-Containing Material): Any material or product that contains more than 1% asbestos.
• Asbestosis: A non-cancerous, chronic, inflammatory lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.
• Encapsulation: Treating ACMs with a sealant that penetrates the material and binds the asbestos fibers together, or covers the surface with a protective coating.
• Friable Asbestos: Asbestos-containing material that, when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. This type is more likely to release fibers.
• HEPA Filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter): A specialized filter capable of removing 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter. Used in vacuums and air filtration devices during abatement.
• Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (mesothelium), most commonly affecting the lining of the lungs and chest wall.
• NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants): EPA regulations that specify work practices for asbestos during demolitions and renovations of most structures, installations, and buildings (excluding residential buildings that have four or fewer dwelling units).
• PACM (Presumed Asbestos-Containing Material): Thermal system insulation and surfacing material found in buildings constructed no later than 1980.