Asbestos-Containing Roof at a Police Department Headquarters to Be Replaced

The Daily Bulletin recently reported that an almost $2 million project to replace the roof at the headquarters of a Police Department in California is scheduled to begin this month. The project requires administrative staff and detectives to move out of their second floor offices until the project’s completion.

According to the article, roof leaks had become a major issue and late last year, asbestos was discovered in the roofing material. The discovery of asbestos is not surprising as the mineral fibers were added to a number of common building materials for decades to increase strength, durability and to provide some insulating and fireproofing properties.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some of the many materials that may contain asbestos include:

• Attic and wall insulation containing vermiculite
• 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

“Fortunately, the asbestos was discovered before the project began since asbestos-containing materials that are disturbed or have become friable with age can easily release fibers into the air and create a health concern for anyone in the area,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “These asbestos fibers will eventually settle and may contribute to dusts found in and around a building. Offering assistance in these types of situations is LA Testing. We provide comprehensive asbestos analysis, testing supplies and even easy-to-use test kits to help detect the presence of asbestos in air, water, soil, dust and bulk samples.”

To learn more about asbestos testing or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

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