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Things to watch out for - From a qualified Asbestos inspector

The number one mistake that is typically made by a building owner is to assume that there is no asbestos because a building is newer than 1980. It is true that asbestos was used a great deal in the 1950’s and later and that use decreased over time. There were several court proceedings held in the 1960’s and 1970’s that examined the risks of hazardous materials in buildings, so asbestos was rarely used in large amounts in homes built after 1980. It is not true that no asbestos was used or that it was even illegal in all cases. Asbestos may be present in some imported building products The second mistake often made is to assume that asbestos was eventually completely banned and that it would not be present in something made in the present-day. Asbestos is not mined in the United States today, but it is still available for import and it is used in some products. Asbestos inspections may not be done if a renovation is a “little job” This issue is quite common and serious — buildi

Asbestos Q & A from an expert Asbestos inspector

Q. What is asbestos? A.  Asbestos  is essentially a compound, a material that is made up of a group of minerals. The minerals that form asbestos are made of microscopic particles that can splinter into even small pieces. Q. Why is asbestos harmful when inhaled? A. Asbestos is harmful because when it is inhaled and splinters, it can become stuck in lung tissue. Q. What kind of symptoms does a person experience right after inhaling asbestos fibers? A. Some people don’t show any symptoms immediately, especially since the fibers themselves are so tiny. Over the long term, though, people who breathe in asbestos fibers may show basic respiratory distress, experience trouble breathing, have bleeding in the lungs and more. Q. What does an asbestos inspector look for? A. An  asbestos inspector  takes samples of the materials used in buildings as well as air samples in those buildings. They take care to get samples in safe conditions without disturbing the particles to the degree

Home water testing

The water that comes out of your tap can contain a number of contaminants even when using a filter. Some may be deliberate additions that aren’t always ideal and others may be harmful. Examples include chlorine, lead, mercury, fluoride, nitrite and more. One of the biggest problems with water contaminants is that you take them in slowly. You may not even realize your health is impacted until you have a real problem. The best way to get ahead of this is to have your water tested before you develop an illness that could be connected to drinking water. There are other signs to watch for such as the water color, odor, taste or residue. Contaminants are sometimes additives that are present at levels too high for you. In more dangerous cases, contaminants can come from plumbing materials, water service lines or the water source. Water companies do test water at a system-wide level. They watch for areas of particular concern such as lead or other heavy metals. They also keep watch on ce

The Importance of Radon Testing

The need for Radon Testing is clear... Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. But this doesn’t rule out the possibility of finding it in your home. Lung cancer has been associated with extended inhalation of radon. So much so that the Surgeon General of the U.S. has stated the metal as being the second leading of lung cancer in the Country. RADON EXPOSURE AND LUNG CANCER EPA estimates reveal that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smoking individuals, and it is overall the second most likely cause of lung cancer. Reports also put radon-linked lung cancer deaths at 21,000 annually, about 2900 deaths of which occur among non-smoking sufferers. To check the scourge, U.S Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona issued a national health advisory on radon on January 13, 2005. The following recommendations have been given by the EPA: 1.      Ensure to test for radon before buying or selling a home. 2.     Verify if your new home was built using rad

Home Water Supplies - Have you tested yours?

Is Home Water Testing Important? Potable water should be clean and free of harmful particles and chemicals. But this is always not the case. There are many ways toxic chemicals can infiltrate tap water. Experts reveal that there are over 2000 different types of toxic chemicals harbored in tap water. Hence the need to sufficiently purify water before use in offices and homes. Water purification remains the best way to rid harmful agents off water and maintain its natural stability and safety. CHEMICAL SOURCES There are different ways through which tap water can be contaminated by chemicals. Pollution is a leading source. Addition of chlorine and other chemicals to public water are also well known to contribute to the overall concentration of chemicals in water supplies. HEALTH RISKS FROM CHEMICALS While chemicals are usually added to purify water for domestic use, attendant health risks from this practice cannot be ignored. In truth, chlorine can be as potent to unw

The Best Wash Down Gun in Australia

Cleaning teams need a wash down gun that truly works, and one that provides enough width and depth to rid dirt off surfaces in a convenient and efficient manner. This is why Tecpro Australia’s Italian made RB65 Low-Pressure  Wash Down Gun  remains top choice for many Australian outfits. While the RB65 was hitherto only available in two colours – blue and red – to denote cold and hot water respectively, requests by clients in the meat and dairy industries to introduce a white version have been granted, and so you now have three colours to choose from, without trading off the comfort and safety features cleaning teams relish.  With a built-in swivel, it’s surely goodbye to hose fights. The ergonomic design of the Low-Pressure  Wash Down Gun features a speedy release trigger that allows you to quickly shut things off using one hand. Thanks to its excellently balanced weight, it is also comfortable enough to allow you hold for extended periods without feeling overworked. There is

Waste Transfer Station has Dust Problem Solved

Australian cities are home to a construction industry that has consistently boomed over the past years.  But of course, this comes with some downsides too. One of which is an exponential increase in construction wastes. While more wastes means increased profit margins for skip bin business and waste transfer operators, gyprock and plaster businesses have another problem to contend with – dust. Left unattended, construction materials release dust that can put the health of workers and nearby residents at risk. Even more, visibility will also go down south, and equipment will wear faster. Surely not all rosy for skip bin operators who constantly have to contend with dust suppression.  Operating in the fast-paced business clime of Sydney, an outfit required a reliable dust suppression system  that could hit the ground running in the shortest time possible considering their 6-days a week rigid work schedule. Here’s where Tecpro Australia came in. With a dedicated engineering team