Blogs Where Nature Meets Science & Coatings
"If All the Greedy People that Pollute can get Together & Show Strength in Unity – then Honest, Environmentalists Must Do the Same. You See – It’s as Simple As That.” George C. Keefe - ENCASEMENT Guy
Blogs Where Nature Meets Science & Coatings
"If All the Greedy People that Pollute can get Together & Show Strength in Unity – then Honest, Environmentalists Must Do the Same. You See – It’s as Simple As That.” George C. Keefe - ENCASEMENT Guy
Friday, November 29, 2019
Asbestos – The three options when addressing asbestos in building materials are: first, full blown removal; second, do nothing and leave it alone; and the third, in-place management.
I’ve been involved with the asbestos industry for over 40 years. Started out being trained and certified as an Asbestos Supervisor, followed with being certified as a project designer for Asbestos and other hazardous materials. Later, I used all my experience, knowledge and expertise in both extensive coatings and solid hazardous material to help people understand the complicated issues and make sound, informed decisions in dealing with them.
In the beginning, there were a lot of information on how bad asbestos is and how to deal with it. The information you would receive depended on who you were speaking with, how ethical they were and what was motivating them. Sometimes that information may not be complete. As time went on, more information has been made available for making better decisions.
This is an industry that lends itself to half-truths at best and lies of omissions at worst. Many of those that were making money off removal and replacement, trucking hazardous material and the dumps had interest in pushing full on removal.
The two options that were always presented to clients when considering what to do with asbestos was to either fully remove it or do nothing. The leave it alone option always came with the ominous warning that if left in place, even if it was in good shape, may expose occupants to its deadly fiber. Many times, this warning was stated to promote the removal for creating business and in turn earning more profit.
Fully removing asbestos in building materials is often difficult because it is made up of microscopic fibers that can be easily released when disturbed. Considerable precautions need to be taken when removing the material, especially in occupied buildings where the potential for exposure is greater than unoccupied buildings that are slated for demolition. These added precautions required in dealing with asbestos drive up the overall cost as opposed to treating normal building materials. The extra cost is often the deciding factor of how to deal with asbestos.
Even though there are many that pushed for full removal and replacement, I have worked with sophisticated and ethical professionals that have directly spelled out that even though they can make more money removing and replacing asbestos they would state, "that’s not the best for my clients." Quite often, the best and most economical option is to simply manage it in place. This can entail completely enclosing the material with hard barriers, by framing around it and then covering with plywood, drywall/sheetrock, etc. The other option and the easiest way to go is with a coating. Basically, any coating will work initially, although a cheap coating would only be a temporary fix and could end up causing more trouble down the line as it ages and begins to fail. A cheap coating is never a good option, especially on an exterior application where all types of attacks from the weather and UV rays can accelerate a breakdown.
I’m one who believes that one size doesn’t fit all and that every situation is different, deserving a case-by-case analysis. That evaluation needs to take into account all aspects of a job and situation, including the client’s personal needs such as time lines, cost factors and long-term goals with the property and its occupants. All these factors can come into play in different ways depending on things such as the property classification – whether it is residential, commercial or industrial. There can be big differences in considering building downtimes, personnel relocation, production loss and completion dates.
This is why the third option of in-place management is the most practical and, most often, a much simpler method than full-blown removal and replacement.
Asbestos has a long history of both being a great building material for its incredible fire resistance and then a dangerous health hazard for its microscopic fibers that is extremely harmful when inhaled. Because of its building properties, it is in and on millions of building surfaces worldwide and still widely in continued use.
Although all circumstances are different and should be treated accordingly, In place management with the right coating is often the best way to deal with asbestos in buildings, roofing, and on other structures.
To learn more about how to deal with your particular asbestos situation contact me at: https://encasementguy.com/hire-encasement-guy-consulting-contracting
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Wednesday, February 22, 2023
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Thursday, February 16, 2023
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Monday, April 25, 2022
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Friday, April 22, 2022
The first time I heard about Earth Day was when I was in the eighth grade and my well admired and clever science teacher opened up a discussion on the cons of earth day stating it was some sort of liberal nonsense and a hoax.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month including asbestos education, so this is a good time to raise awareness about preventing unnecessary exposure to asbestos that can cause lung cancer as well as contribute to other possible health concerns.
Monday, October 25, 2021
I’ve spent most of my adult life traveling and working to protect people from the exposure of solid hazardous materials such as Lead-Based Paint, Asbestos, PCBs, etc. by teaching them how to take simple steps to prevent that toxic exposure.
Friday, July 02, 2021
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Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
The first time I heard about Earth Day was when I was in the eighth grade and my well admired and clever science teacher opened up a discussion on the cons of earth day stating it was some sort of liberal nonsense and a hoax. This agitated most of the class. He further stirred the pot by claiming that it didn’t matter how much pollution we caused, that the planet could take care of itself. He went on to say that the oceans were so vast and deep enough that we could go on dumping in them for hundreds of years and never have a negative impact. We could continue to let industry spew out pollutants into the air and never face any consequences. He was insistent that we could deposit waste where ever and how ever we wanted and that the earth and environment would, as if by magic, absorb it all.
Monday, November 16, 2020
Restoration of surfaces and material is value engineering at its best especially when incorporated with best in class green products and system designs.
Tuesday, September 01, 2020
As weather becomes extremely unpredictable around the world, there is an urgent need to strengthen those places that protect us and our contents from harsh, rapidly changing climates.
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Asbestos and lead-based paint – you know them well. They lurk in older schools, housing complexes, military installations and other buildings, waiting silently to inflict disease and sometimes death on their occupants. Today, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are found in over 700,000 buildings in the United States, and loose, flaking, or peeling lead-based paint (LBP) is present in more than 72 million United States homes, schools, and other buildings constructed before 1978.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Every year damaging winds accompany hurricanes, typhoons and other strong wind events that leave a trail of destruction. Building and home owners are left with devastating huge building repairs and replacement costs. Some of these buildings can be salvaged and made stronger, defending against the next storm. Others are a complete write-off. It’s not unusual in all the destruction to see a building or house left standing with its roof and walls intact. This is usually a structure that is wind-resistant and better prepared to defend against a strong weather onslaught.