The environmental professionals at Clark Seif Clark (CSC) provide asbestos and other indoor air quality (IAQ) testing services to protect building occupants from health hazards.
From decades of research it is known that breathing asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and respiratory diseases such as asbestosis. The risks of developing these diseases increases with amount and type of asbestos fibers inhaled.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber mined from the Earth, that when added to building products offers desirable attributes such as increased strength, corrosion resistance, acoustical dampening, thermal insulation and fire resistance. When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed, asbestos fibers may be released into the air, which can then be inhaled by the building’s occupants and maintenance personnel.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “Check material regularly. If you suspect it may contain asbestos, don't touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibers. This is particularly true if you often disturb it by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow.”
Clark Seif Clark, a leading provider of indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental services, has extensive experience dealing with asbestos hazards. “Many Americans presume asbestos is a problem of the past. Asbestos was, and is, used in virtually every type of building material.” reported Derrick A. Denis, V.P. Indoor Environmental Quality at CSC. “Asbestos bans in the US are not what people think. Thousands of products containing asbestos fibers are being imported and used in the U.S. annually. Many, but not all, U.S. manufacturers voluntarily stopped putting asbestos in their products. Asbestos is still present in tens of thousands of homes and commercial structures both old and new. In order to protect building occupants and maintenance personnel, to reduce your liability and to stave off regulatory citations you should presume or test for the presence of asbestos fibers in your building materials before they are disturbed.”
A new public service video on asbestos supported by CSC can be viewed at:
About Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.