Asbestos Testing Grand Junction, COAspen Growth Enterprises |
|
Asbestos Use In Homes and BuildingsAsbestos was commonly used in building materials up until the 1970’s, when the health and safety risks of asbestos began to be better understood. Asbestos was used due in large part to its fire-resistant quality, but the health risks if asbestos becomes broken down and airborne seemed to have outweighed its benefits for common use in building-related materials, and rules and regulations regarding asbestos use in building material product manufacturing have since been put into place by various regulatory agencies.
|
|
Manufacturing of Asbestos-Containing Building Materials
|
The manufacturing of most asbestos-containing materials for building use was banned in the United States between the 1970’s and 1990’s after the health risks of its use in building material was discovered. This means that it is illegal for companies in the U.S. to manufacture products which contain asbestos that are intended to be used in the construction of buildings.
However, this does not mean that building materials which are used in the present-day building of homes and other structures contain absolutely no asbestos. While the manufacture of most products containing asbestos is illegal, the importing of asbestos-containing building materials is not. There are very few regulations surrounding these imported materials. Therefore, even homes built after the 1970’s are at risk for containing asbestos. In fact, asbestos is everywhere. If you were to walk into Home Depot today, you would find plenty of different items that contain at least some asbestos. Many common home materials contain asbestos; it's often found in drywall, popcorn ceilings, and behind vinyl flooring. Even if you're buying a newer home, don't assume there isn't asbestos present somewhere in the house. Asbestos was (and is) used in building materials due to the fact that its fibers are extremely strong and its properties make it resistant to heat and chemical damage, as well as insulate against electricity and generally make the product in which the asbestos is contained more durable. Due to these benefits, the material can still be found in products used in building-related materials, but the knowledge of its health risks have led to some regulations on its use being put into place. |
|
Asbestos Testing, Call Today!
Colorado Regulation 8
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has implemented a rule known as Regulation 8 which requires that, if a contractor is going to be disturbing at least thirty-two square feet or more of drywall on a project, the material must undergo asbestos testing. While it may give Colorado homeowners peace of mind that there is such a regulation in place, the biggest obstacle to it being enforced is that it is often ignored due to a general feeling that asbestos is not a large concern, especially in newer homes, and that bypassing the regulation will save the homeowner money and ensure that the job be completed.
In the grand scheme of projects on which contractors are working, even a relatively small and simple remodel of a kitchen, for example, will likely hit the regulation’s minimum of thirty-two square feet of drywall removal – thirty-two square feet is a fairly small amount of space in terms of remodeling. This boils down to the likelihood that every project a contractor works on will require that the work stop, the homeowner pay upfront and out of pocket for asbestos testing which must be completed with negative results before work can resume. There is also every possibility that the test will come back showing the presence of asbestos in the home.
In the grand scheme of projects on which contractors are working, even a relatively small and simple remodel of a kitchen, for example, will likely hit the regulation’s minimum of thirty-two square feet of drywall removal – thirty-two square feet is a fairly small amount of space in terms of remodeling. This boils down to the likelihood that every project a contractor works on will require that the work stop, the homeowner pay upfront and out of pocket for asbestos testing which must be completed with negative results before work can resume. There is also every possibility that the test will come back showing the presence of asbestos in the home.
Regulation 8 Proposed Updates
Throughout the spring of 2020, proposals are being made for broad updates to the requirements outlined in Regulation 8. It is proposed that definitions within the regulation be updated, as well as several sections pertaining to the roles and responsibilities of involved parties, inspection requirements, spill response requirements, and simplifying the different types of buildings named in the regulation.
It is thought that these changes may result in even more stringent requirements for inspection. Namely, the changes in the regulation that could result from these proposals may involve requirements that asbestos testing be performed before any work can begin on project. This would mean that if homeowners are considering beginning any kind of remodeling project on their homes, it would be a good idea to begin factoring asbestos testing into the budget for the project, as there is every possibility that there may no longer be a way of skirting the testing and potential cleanup costs if updates to Colorado’s Regulation 8 are made.
It is thought that these changes may result in even more stringent requirements for inspection. Namely, the changes in the regulation that could result from these proposals may involve requirements that asbestos testing be performed before any work can begin on project. This would mean that if homeowners are considering beginning any kind of remodeling project on their homes, it would be a good idea to begin factoring asbestos testing into the budget for the project, as there is every possibility that there may no longer be a way of skirting the testing and potential cleanup costs if updates to Colorado’s Regulation 8 are made.
Call Today!
|
|
|
What Happens If An Asbestos Test Is Positive?
When an asbestos test is performed and comes back positive on a building, it is necessary to call an asbestos abatement company to undergo the process of having the asbestos removed from the home. When a project that a contractor is working on tests positive for asbestos, work on the project may not resume until the asbestos abatement has been completed.
The presence of asbestos in the home should be taken seriously by homeowners, and the costs of asbestos testing and removal may seem daunting, the health risks of exposure to the airborne fibers of asbestos are a very real danger. In choosing to follow the asbestos testing and asbestos abatement guidelines set forth in Regulation 8, contractors will avoid potential fines and also provide a safe environment for themselves and their families when testing and/or cleanup is performed by professionals.
The presence of asbestos in the home should be taken seriously by homeowners, and the costs of asbestos testing and removal may seem daunting, the health risks of exposure to the airborne fibers of asbestos are a very real danger. In choosing to follow the asbestos testing and asbestos abatement guidelines set forth in Regulation 8, contractors will avoid potential fines and also provide a safe environment for themselves and their families when testing and/or cleanup is performed by professionals.
The Bottom Line
|
Regulation 8 has been put in place by the state of Colorado as a way to prevent asbestos containing materials from being disturbed in buildings and homes and becoming airborne, potentially leading to serious health concerns for those who live or work in the buildings. The guidelines set forth in Regulation 8 should be taken seriously by those working both professionally as contractors, and those who are performing work on their own homes. With the potential updates to Regulation 8, stricter rules may be coming and this is something that should be monitored as the proposed changes are looked at throughout the spring of 2020.
|
|
Call Today!
Aspen Growth is available for Asbestos Testing during normal business hours: 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday
