4 Places You Wouldn’t Expect Asbestos To Be Found
Asbestos use is regulated in the United States, but it has not been banned. Many products can contain asbestos, and most of them are construction materials. Asbestos is common in homes, but did you know there are other places asbestos can be found in.
Churches
Churches have used asbestos materials for soundproofing and fire prevention. Asbestos was added to acoustical panels to make them stronger. Those panels are used on walls and ceilings to soften the echo and reverb of music played inside churches. Asbestos was also used to insulate church organ blowers and bellows. Asbestos was also found in wrap insulation around boilers and steam pipes. There have been a few churches that have dealt with asbestos abatement issues in recent years. Older churches may encounter asbestos products, and it’s important to have church buildings inspected.
Schools
The United States government created regulations in 1986 to protect children and school employees from asbestos. With the Asbestos Hazard Response Act(AHERA), schools are required to inspect buildings for asbestos-containing materials. They have to make asbestos management plans and take action to prevent and reduce asbestos exposure risks.
Asbestos remains to be a problem in schools, although AHERA was enacted in the late 1980s. The tiny fibers can be found in insulation around pipes and the boilers, under vinyl flooring, in HVAC ductwork, and ceiling tiles. Education officials and towns should have school buildings inspected for asbestos.
Public Buildings
Any public building built before 1980 may contain asbestos materials, however, even new buildings may have asbestos in the roofing materials, vinyl tiles, and cement piping as well. Asbestos can appear in government buildings, police stations, movie theaters, restaurants, and more commercial properties, where many individuals pass through. The material can be found in curtains in movie theaters, hairdryers in barbershops and salons, talcum powder products in barbershops, construction materials in government buildings, and asbestos insulation around pipes and boilers.
Although people may not be affected right away, asbestos can linger in the air and affect the air quality over time. Federal regulations require building owners to safely abate and properly dispose of asbestos materials. If the regulations aren’t followed, building owners are fine and can face serious consequences if they violate asbestos laws.
Asbestos may not be seen by the naked eye, especially in commercial buildings. Our Asbestos Project Management team inspects every part of the building, to ensure it’s safe.
Hospitals
Hospitals have used asbestos products to prevent fires and keep medical equipment from overheating. Individuals who work in a hospital could possibly come in contact with products, but maintenance and construction workers have a greater risk of exposure to the fibers. While asbestos isn’t lurking in the rooms at the direct level of patients, the tiny fibers can be found in the insulation around piping and boilers, in cooling towers, electrical wiring insulation, HVAC ductwork, and floor tiles.
We don’t advise inspecting and removing asbestos on your own. We work on commercial properties to safely remove asbestos and prevent unnecessary exposure. Asbestos Project Management can inspect and remove asbestos from churches, schools, public buildings, and hospitals. Contact us to schedule your inspection and testing today!
Back To Blog