As with any water damage project, when you respond to a flood event, you will want to begin by helping your client develop a list of actionable items such as filing an insurance claim or other recommendations that not only set expectations for the project moving forward but also encompass both health and safety. As such, don’t forget to include an asbestos survey in your plan. Flooding isn’t just a matter of water damage and biological contaminants; rather, it may also loosen and dislodge other fibrous particles that are hazardous to you or your client's health. If the flooding process does not, it is likely that the water restoration and demolition efforts will.
A Question of Construction
Asbestos has been used in construction and insulation products for decades, with the height of its use occurring prior to the 1970s. And while asbestos is regulated today as a result of the risks inherent in exposure, it is not banned in the United States and the regulations in place today did not remove legacy asbestos.