Identifying and Mitigating Asbestos Exposure Risks in Puerto Rico

For decades, thousands of building materials and products that were used in Puerto Rico and across the region contained asbestos. Unfortunately, many of these asbestos-containing materials can still be found in homes, businesses and institutions of all types.
 
The mere presence of an asbestos-containing material is not an immediate threat necessarily. However, if the material has become friable with age, it could release fibers into the air. This can also occur if the material is disturbed, an all too common occurrence during demolition, renovation and remodeling projects.
 
As reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to asbestos fibers in the air people breathe increases the risk of developing lung disease. Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are lung cancer; mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining of the lung, chest and the abdomen and heart; and asbestosis, a serious progressive, long-term, non-cancer disease of the lungs.
 
“Disease symptoms can take years to develop following exposure, which is why identifying these materials and preventing exposure is so critical,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “The only way to know for sure if a suspect material contains asbestos is to have it tested, and the only way to confirm exposure risks is to conduct environmental sampling. Asbestos is also a regulated material in most circumstances. This means there can be substantial penalties for companies and institutions that deliberately or accidently put people at risk of exposure when dealing with these materials.”
 
In Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, Zimmetry Environmental provide asbestos testing, monitoring and consulting services that adhere to all current regulations. These services identify and mitigate exposure hazards to protect families, workers and building occupants, while also keeping companies and institutions in regulatory compliance.
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their asbestos, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, 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 services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail