Residents of Puerto Rico Warned of Asbestos and Lead Hazards Following Even Minor Building Fires

Last month, Fire Prevention Week (FPW) was recognized throughout the United States from October 7^th through the 13^th. Started back in 1922, FPW has a long tradition and was proclaimed a national observance by President Coolidge. In fact, it is the longest-running public health observance in the country.
 
The theme for 2018’s FPW was “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” This is important advice as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that fire departments across the U.S. respond to an average of one home fire every 86 seconds and seven people die in home fires every day. Fortunately, in most building fires, firefighters are able to put out the flames without loss of life and before the complete destruction of the home or building.
 
For people with a home or business that has been damaged, and even for those living nearby in some cases, there can be health and safety concerns long after the flames have been extinguished. Structural fires can result in not only asbestos being released into the air, but it can also remain in what is left of the damaged building. These ashes and ruins are subject to dispersal by wind and during demolition, cleanup and rebuilding activities. This is especially true if the proper safety precautions have not been followed.
 
“Another common hazard in residential and commercial buildings constructed up until the 1970s is the presence of lead-based paints,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Just as building debris and rebuilding activities can aerosolize asbestos fibers, lead dust from paints can also become a health and safety hazard. In Puerto Rico, we have a large percentage of homes and buildings that are at risk for having both asbestos and lead-based paints. With this in mind, people involved with fire damaged properties or even just those undergoing remodeling projects, need to be vigilant for these exposure hazards.”
 
To protect residents of Puerto Rico from exposure risks and to help keep companies that provide demolition, cleanup and rebuilding activities in regulatory compliance, Zimmetry Environmental offers comprehensive lead and asbestos testing. They also offer ongoing monitoring and consulting services.
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their asbestos, lead, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, or compliance testing and consulting 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 consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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