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Floridians Warned of Asbestos Hazards in Popcorn Ceilings

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 10:02:17 EST

Hundreds of thousands of homes, apartments and condominiums were built across Florida from the 1960s through the 1980s.  During this same time frame, a favorite ceiling texturing technique used by many builders is the now outdated look of popcorn ceilings.
 
Many of these older homes have been remodeled over the years and one of the favorite projects for homeowners to tackle is removing popcorn ceilings.  This project, although messy, is often done by the homeowners themselves.
 
Unfortunately, many, if not most homeowners, don't realize that popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos.  'As anyone who has ever removed popcorn ceilings from a home can attest, it is a very dusty project,' reported Eric Osking, M.S., CIEC, President of Advanced Building Assessment, an expert on indoor environmental issues.  'That dust could contain asbestos fibers.  It's crucial to get the materials tested before any popcorn removal projects begin to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers which could be spread throughout the property,' he continued.
 
Asbestos was banned from use in most household materials in the late 1970s.  However, many businesses with existing materials were allowed to use up their inventory of materials on hand so some homes built as late as the 1980s may still contain asbestos. 
 
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 'You can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. A professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released. In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not recommended.'
 
Advanced Building Assessment supports an educational video about asbestos dangers in the home that can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/CCpQYuK8ge8
 
To learn more about asbestos, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental or property insurance related inspection services, please visit http://www.BldgInspect.com, email advancedba@yahoo.com or call (407) 371-5237.
 
About Advanced Building Assessment, Inc.
Advanced Building Assessment is a leading provider of environmental consulting, home inspection and public adjuster services for clients across Florida.