FAQ

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name of a group of highly fibrous minerals with separable, long, and thin fibers. Because of their strength and resistance to heat and chemicals, asbestos fibers have been used in manufactured goods such as roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, cement products, paper products, textiles, coatings, and automobile parts.

The three most common types are Chrysotile (white), Amosite (brown), Crocidolite (blue). Chrysotile is most prevalent asbestos in U.S., making up 90-95% of all asbestos.

What are the threats of asbestos?

Asbestos poses serious threats to health. Because of this, there are many regulations and laws that carry serious penalties if violated. In addition, asbestos-containing buildings are often the source of lawsuits. In short, asbestos poses health dangers to you and your staff which can lead to serious monetary fines and even lawsuits/

Where is asbestos found in my facilities?

Asbestos has been used in over 3,000 building products. Click below for a checklist of commercial/industrial asbestos containing materials commonly found in commercial and industrial facilities.

Who is at risk for asbestos exposure?

Anyone who works in a facility built with asbestos-containing materials, the public that frequents such facilities, and individuals who work in industries that come in contact with asbestos-containing materials are all at risk. Children who attend schools built with asbestos-containing materials are also at risk.

What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?

Asbestos poses a threat when it is airborne. Fibers embed themselves in the lungs and can cause serious lung diseases. Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing illness from asbestos exposure. Three of of the major health effects of asbestos exposure include:

Asbestosis – Asbestosis is a serious chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs. It is progressive and long-term and is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung tissues and cause scarring. This scarring prevents oxygen from getting into the blood and creates a wide range or problems in the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling.
Lung Cancer – Lung cancer is the most common cancer-related cause of death in men and the second most common in women. It is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in the tissues of the lung. People who work in the mining, milling, manufacturing, and those who use asbestos or asbestos-containing products are most at risk. The most common symptoms are coughing, change in breathing, shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia.
Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer found in the membrane of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart. Almost all cases stem from asbestos exposure. Symptoms take several years to develop and include shortness of breath, chest wall pain, and weight loss.

What is the difference between friable and non-friable asbestos?

Friable asbestos is any asbestos-containing material that when dry, can be easily crumbled or pulverized to powder by hand. Material that contains more than just 1% asbestos and is friable is considered to be Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material (RACM).

Some common examples of friable asbestos found in facilities are acoustic ceilings and tiles, certain types of plasters, wallboard, joint compound or "mud," and thermal insulation for water heaters and pipes. Although use of asbestos in these products was banned by 1978 those already in the marketplace remained on the shelves and were used in construction for many years after. They are still commonly found.

Non-friable asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are not regulated because they containsa binder or hardening agent such as cement, asphalt, or vinyl. Examples of ACM are roofing shingles, vinyl asbestos floor tiles and transite siding made with cement. ACM products are still being manufactured today. The danger with this type of material is that it can pose the same hazard as friable asbestos during remodeling, demolition, repairs or other disturbance. Pulverizing, drilling, cutting, burning non-friable also creates friable asbestos which is regulated.

How do I know if my facility has asbestos?

It is recommended that you hire an experienced, certified professional to conduct an asbestos survey of your facilities. Asbestos surveys consist of the collection of physical samples of suspect building materials that are tested by a certified laboratory. A report is issued to you that contains explanations and diagrams showing which building materials contain asbestos, type and % asbestos and location.

Once I know where the asbestos is in my facilities, do I have to remove it?

Not necessarily. The law requires you to abate asbestos-containing building materials prior to any disturbance that would cause it to become friable and airborne. Such activities are usually associated with the demolition, renovation, and maintenance of your facilities. Asbestos-containing materials in good condition may not pose a health threat and could be managed in-place, unless disturbed by the above mentioned activities.

How do I go about finding a qualified company to remove my asbestos?

Asbestos abatement is a highly technical and controlled process with stringent government inspection oversight and extensive environmental regulations that must be complied with on each and every project. Only certified, licensed and highly experienced abatement contractors that have proven themselves by industry and regulatory standards are allowed to remove asbestos.

Once removed, where is asbestos disposed?

Once removed and contained wet within special containers, asbestos-containing waste materials are transported by licensed, insured transporters to landfills that are permitted to accept asbestos. There are few landfills that are permitted to accept asbestos-containing waste. Keers' sister company, Special Waste Disposal operates one such landfill.

How long have you been doing asbestos abatement?

Keers is one of the pioneers in the asbestos abatement industry. As one of the first in the business, we have been removing asbestos for government and commercial accounts since 1979. We are highly experienced having completed over 10,000 jobs successfully. Keers Remediation is licensed to remove and dispose of asbestos and maintains an excellent reputation with the regulatory authorities that oversee the industry.

Does experience really matter that much in this industry?

Probably more so because of the liabilities associated with the abatement of well-documented carcinogenic asbestos. CEO Brian Kilcup and President Jr. Jaramillo have been with Keers since its inception. The service coordinators, superintendents and project leaders have an average of 20 years with the company. There isn’t anything that this management team hasn’t seen. Nobody is going to pay for a learning curve when employing Keers.

What kind of Customer does Keers do business with?

Keers specializes exclusively in serving the facility environmental remediation needs of Educational, Governmental, and Corporate accounts.

Is there any notifications or permits required to remove asbestos?

Yes. There is a 10-day notification required to the environmental regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the location. In some areas, permits and fees are applied to either the Owner or the Contractor.

After an asbestos abatement is complete, what paperwork do I get or need to concern myself with?

In order to protect or defend your organization from regulatory inquiry, action or potential litigation, it is imperative that you receive a complete file documenting the abatement conducted. This file should always contain:

Regulatory notifications & permits
Daily activity logs during abatement
Post-removal visual inspection reports
Final clearance air-monitoring reports
Asbestos waste disposal manifest

Keers has developed a proprietary ProDOC™ project closeout file that contains all required information. This project closeout file is mailed to you after every project that Keers performs.

In order to keep Contractors honest and save money, should I get multiple bids on my next asbestos abatement project?

The problem with that approach is that it treats the abatement of carcinogenic (cancer causing) asbestos as a construction commodity to be bought on low price. This encourages abatement contractors to cut corners to reduce cost. There is way too much at risk during this process to tempt fate. It is better to consider asbestos abatement a professional service and interview and negotiate with only qualified firms that you can trust with your project.

If I choose to use Keers on my project who will be in charge and who do I contact if there is a problem?

Each project is assigned to a highly trained, qualified professional service coordinator. The coordinator will oversee your project and coordinate all site investigations, cost-estimating, permitting, and remediation. You will have direct access to your service coordinator throughout the project.

My facilities are a long way from your company headquarters, how can you supervise my project from a distance?

Keers adherence to the project management processes detailed in our QualPRO® quality assurance system allows us to effectively mobilize and manage remediation projects anywhere within the Southwestern United States. Keers has been doing this successfully for over 25 years.