"<p><strong>WHAT IS ASBESTOS?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><br>Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction due to its heat resistance, durability,<br>and insulating properties. It can be found in older buildings, particularly in materials such as insulation (pipe<br>insulation, attic insulation), flooring (vinyl tiles, adhesives), ceiling tiles, roofing materials, cement boards, drywall,<br>and fireproofing products.<br>When asbestos fibers are disturbed and become airborne, they can be inhaled, leading to serious health risks.<br>Exposure to asbestos is linked to several life-threatening diseases, including asbestosis (a chronic lung condition),<br>lung cancer, and mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart). Other respiratory<br>issues, such as pleural disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can also result from prolonged<br>exposure. Proper handling and removal of asbestos require professional expertise to prevent harmful fiber release.<br>Anyone at risk of asbestos exposure is at risk of developing serious and chronic health problems. In fact, no safe<br>level of minimum exposure has ever been established for asbestos.<br>Exposure to asbestos may occur when working in construction-related activities such as demolition and asbestos<br>abatement, or when workers are engaged in a wide variety of activities associated with building maintenance and<br>repairs. Asbestos fibers can remain in the air for several hours, this means there is a long-time frame in which one<br>can be exposed to asbestos if materials are improperly handled or disturbed.<\/p>\r\n<p><br><strong>WHAT ARE PCB\u2019S?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><br>PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of synthetic chemicals that were widely used in industrial and<br>commercial applications for their insulating and heat-resistant properties. In buildings, PCBs are commonly found<br>in older electrical equipment, such as transformers and capacitors, as well as in paints, caulking, and sealants used<br>before the 1970s. Exposure to PCBs can lead to serious health risks, including liver damage, immune system<br>suppression, reproductive issues, and developmental delays. Long-term exposure is also linked to an increased risk<br>of certain cancers, particularly liver and skin cancer. Due to their toxicity and environmental persistence, PCBs are<br>now banned in many countries, and special care must be taken when handling or removing PCB-containing<br>materials to avoid exposure.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>WHAT IS MERCURY?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><br>Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is often found in older buildings, primarily in products like thermometers,<br>thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, and some electrical devices. When these items break or deteriorate, mercury<br>can be released into the air, posing significant health risks. Exposure to mercury, particularly inhalation of its<br>vapors, can lead to serious neurological damage, affecting the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms of<br>mercury poisoning include tremors, memory problems, irritability, and muscle weakness. Long-term exposure can<br>lead to more severe conditions, such as cognitive decline and kidney failure. Proper handling and disposal of<br>mercury-containing materials are essential to prevent health hazards, especially in environments where the<br>material may be present in broken or deteriorated items.<\/p>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>WHAT IS LEAD?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><br>Lead is a toxic metal that was once commonly used in building materials such as paint, pipes, and plumbing<br>fixtures, especially in homes and buildings constructed before the 1970s. It is also found in some older ceramic<br>tiles, lead-based solder, and roofing materials. Lead exposure, particularly through the ingestion or inhalation of<br>dust or particles, can cause serious health problems. In children, it can result in developmental delays, learning<br>difficulties, and behavioral problems, while in adults, it can cause high blood pressure, kidney damage, and<br>reproductive issues. Long-term exposure to lead can also lead to neurological damage and increase the risk of<br>cognitive decline. Due to its harmful effects, lead has been banned in most products, but it remains a significant<br>hazard in older buildings, requiring proper removal and precautions during renovation or restoration.<br><strong><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>WHAT ARE CFC\u2019S?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><br>CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are man-made compounds that were commonly used as refrigerants, solvents, and<br>propellants in aerosol sprays. In buildings, they are typically found in older air conditioning systems, refrigerators,<br>and foam insulation materials. While CFCs themselves do not pose direct health risks in the amounts typically<br>found in buildings, their primary environmental concern is their contribution to ozone layer depletion. This, in turn,<br>increases the risk of harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface, which can lead to skin cancer, cataracts,<br>and other health issues. The use of CFCs has been largely phased out due to their environmental impact, but older<br>equipment containing CFCs may still be found in some buildings, requiring proper handling and disposal by trained<br>professionals to avoid environmental harm.<br><strong><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>HANTA VIRUS<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><br>Hantavirus is a type of virus transmitted primarily through the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. It is<br>often found in buildings, especially in areas with rodent infestations such as attics, basements, or storage spaces.<br>When rodent waste becomes airborne and is inhaled, it can lead to serious health risks. The most significant<br>disease associated with hantavirus is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can cause severe respiratory<br>distress, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and even death. Early symptoms of HPS include fever, muscle aches, and<br>fatigue, followed by difficulty breathing. Hantavirus is a serious and potentially fatal disease, making it crucial to<\/p>\r\n<p>take precautions in areas where rodent activity is present, such as using protective gear and cleaning rodent-<br>contaminated areas with proper disinfectants.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>WHAT IS SILICA?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><br>Silica, specifically crystalline silica, is a mineral commonly found in materials like concrete, brick, mortar, and<br>natural stone. In buildings, it is often encountered during activities such as cutting, grinding, or demolishing these<br>materials. When silica dust is inhaled, it can pose significant health risks, including the development of silicosis, a<br>chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue. Long-term exposure to silica dust<br>can also lead to other serious conditions such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and<br>kidney disease. Workers in construction, demolition, or mining industries are particularly at risk, and protective<br>measures like dust control and respiratory protection are essential to minimize exposure. The Occupational Safety<br>and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1926.1153 requires construction employers to keep worker<br>exposures at or below a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 50 \u03bcg\/m3<\/p>"