For decades, thousands of building materials and products that were used for construction in Puerto Rico and across the region contained asbestos. These materials included many used for various plumbing applications in residential and commercial buildings of all types.
Unfortunately, many of these asbestos-containing materials can still be found, potentially posing a risk to building occupants. One group of professionals at elevated risk of asbestos exposure includes plumbers called upon to repair, maintain and make changes to these older plumbing system. In fact, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) lists plumbers as one of the occupations at risk of exposure to asbestos.
Plumbing materials that were once sometimes made with asbestos, and could still be in use today, include cement pipes; repair and joint compounds; asbestos wrap and insulation; pumps, valves and gaskets; and heat shields to name a few.
“Anytime a plumber has to repair, renovate, replace or remove these materials, which are almost never labeled as containing asbestos, they are potentially at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Over time, exposure to asbestos fibers is known to cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. There are also regulations for the handling, transportation and disposal of asbestos-containing materials in many situations. These are all reasons why testing these materials to determine if asbestos is present before any work begins that could disturb them is so vital.”
In Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, Zimmetry Environmental provide asbestos testing, monitoring and consulting services to protect plumbers and building occupants. These services also help companies and institutions comply with existing health and safety regulations.
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their asbestos, material, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, environmental or compliance services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental services.
— WebWireID290128 —
