ASBESTOS EXPERTS

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals which have long, fibrous crystals. It has been mined and used for thousands of years. There are six main types of asbestos, with the most common being Chrysotile.

In the mid 1800's and throughout most of the 20th century, asbestos was coveted for its thermal insulation properties, including fireproofing, weatherproofing, and electrical insulation. 

Since asbestos is considered miraculous, the next logical step would just be to put loads of the stuff in all kinds of materials, right? We're talking adhesives, insulation, cement (transite),  plaster, roof shingles, gaskets, "popcorn" ceiling texture, duct wrap, pipe insulation, caulk, drywall and joint compound, brake pads and shoes, and flooring, including vinyl tiles and sheet goods such as linoleum. It was even commonly used in such household appliances such as toasters, stoves/hotplates, and in coffee pots. 

For over 100 years, we have known of the harmful effects of asbestos exposure. Damage and scarring of the lung tissue, including asbestosis and mesothelioma, an aggressive form of lung cancer can occur following exposure. There are approximately 1,300 deaths annually related to asbestos exposure in the US alone.  

Depending on the age of your home, there may be building materials that contain asbestos. In many cases this poses no direct risk to health. However, when these materials degrade over time, or they become damaged due to construction, including sanding or grinding, the harmful asbestos fibers may get released into the air.  

Our staff includes a Missouri-licensed Asbestos Building Inspector. If you are planning remodeling or remediation, consult with Scope Environmental for an Asbestos Inspection, in which the whole home will be inspected to determine suspect building materials. Samples will be collected of materials that will be affected by the construction, including "popcorn" texture, flooring, adhesives, etc. Polarize Light Microscopy will be used to determine if Asbestos fibers are present.