California Community to Replace Aging Concrete Water Pipes That Contain Asbestos

It was recently announced by several media outlets that a California community district approved a $2.3 million bid to replace asbestos-containing concrete water pipes in parts of the town. The project is expected to last approximately six months and will take place in some of the older community neighborhoods that were constructed in the 1950s and 1960s.

The dangers of inhalation exposure to asbestos fibers is well known and has been labeled a human carcinogen as it can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. With regards to communities that have asbestos-containing water pipes that could expose residents to swallowing asbestos fibers, the potential hazard is not as clear, the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) reported. The agency stated that some groups of people who have been exposed to asbestos fibers in their drinking water have higher-than-average death rates from cancer of the esophagus, stomach and intestines, but it is difficult to tell whether this is caused by asbestos or by something else.

“Asbestos fibers that enter drinking water due to the past use of asbestos-containing concrete water pipes does not dissolve in it, but rather are transported in the water as the aging pipes erode,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Exposure to these fibers in drinking water is also believed by some health experts to be one possible cause of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM), a rare type of cancer of the peritoneum that surrounds the abdominal cavity.”

Nationwide, cement pipes that contained asbestos were only once commonly used up until the 1980s. Communities replacing underground water and sewer pipes that contain asbestos is another concern because if the pipes are removed, broken and transported, fibers can become airborne, potentially exposing workers and the public.

With multiple laboratories across the state, LA Testing offers air, dust, soil, water and bulk testing for asbestos. They also provide all of the necessary sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and carry a full line of personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard workers. They have even sponsored an educational video about malignant mesothelioma and asbestos that can be seen at:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEyopPp9Ck4 .

To learn more about asbestos or other environmental testing services and products, please visit  www.LATesting.com , email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits for asbestos, 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), 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, San Diego and Ontario.

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