Blacktrail is a Licensed and Certified Asbestos Inspection Company

Blacktrail has licensed and certified asbestos inspectors to identify what materials in your building contain asbestos. Following the asbestos survey, we can prepare a work plan/specifications to abate/remove the asbestos-containing building materials safely, and according to North Dakota Department of Health regulations. We have been managing asbestos removal projects for over 25 years and have worked for every type of client in more than twelve states. Our knowledge and experience allows us to perform our asbestos services at rates lower than any other professional consulting firm in North Dakota.

Federal and State regulations require that all affected parts of a facility being renovated or demolished must be inspected by a state-certified inspector for the presence of asbestos-containing materials prior to beginning a renovation or demolition project; all regulated asbestos material that will be disturbed as part of a renovation or demolition must be properly removed by state-certified-individuals before beginning the project; all asbestos-containing waste material must be properly disposed of in approved landfill; and the "Notification of Demolition and Renovation" form must be submitted to the NDDH ten days prior to the beginning any demolition activity, whether or not asbestos is present, and for a renovation activity, it must be submitted ten days prior to beginning the removal if more than 160 square feet of asbestos-containing surfacing material or more than 260 linear feet of asbestos-containing thermal system (pipe) insulation will be disturbed.

Where Can I Find Asbestos?

Because of its fiber strength and heat resistance asbestos has been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. Asbestos has also been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials (roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos cement products), friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coatings.

Most uses of asbestos are not banned, a few are banned under existing regulations.

Where asbestos may be found:

• Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives
• Roofing and siding shingles
• Textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceilings
• Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper,
  millboard, or cement sheets
• Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an
  asbestos blanket or tape
• Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets with asbestos insulation
• Heat-resistant fabrics
• Automobile clutches and brakes

• Attic and wall insulation produced containing vermiculite 

How Can People Be Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling. In general, exposure may occur only when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air.

Health Effects From Exposure to Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects.

Disease symptoms may take many years to develop following exposure. Asbestos-related conditions can be difficult to identify. Healthcare providers usually identify the possibility of asbestos exposure and related health conditions like lung disease by taking a thorough medical history. This includes looking at the person’s medical, work, cultural and environmental history.

After a doctor suspects an asbestos-related health condition, he or she can use a number of tools to help make the actual diagnosis. Some of these tools are physical examination, chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests. Your doctor may also refer you to a specialist who treats diseases caused by asbestos.

Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are:

• Lung cancer
• Asbestosis, a serious progressive, long-term, non-cancer disease of the
  lungs
• Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining of the
  lung, chest and the abdomen and heart

Blacktrail Environmental has licensed asbestos inspectors, project designers, management planners and air sampling professionals available for your next project!