Ceilings Tiles Containing Asbestos Could be Lurking in Some Schools and Offices in Puerto Rico

Asbestos was used in numerous types of ceiling tiles, as well as thousands of other products, in the past. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing suspect materials, including ceiling tiles, if they are damaged (fraying, crumbling) or if a renovation is planned that would disturb the suspect material.
 
That is what happened recently at a high school in Bermuda. An air conditioning project was planned at the school and suspect ceiling tiles were tested. Test results found asbestos-containing ceiling tiles in ten of the classrooms according to media reports.
 
“This is another example of the fact that asbestos-containing materials, installed years ago, are still present in countless buildings,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Fortunately, in this case, the ceiling tiles were tested before they were going to be disturbed. If they had not been tested, it’s quite likely that asbestos fibers would have been released into the air and settle as dust throughout the school. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer over time.”
 
The only way to know for sure if a ceiling tile or other suspect material contains asbestos is to have it tested. If a material comes back positive, it has to be handled properly to avoid putting workers and building occupants at risk. Since it’s also a regulated substance in most countries, costly noncompliance penalties are yet another reason to follow all applicable regulations.
 
In Puerto Rico and across the greater Caribbean, Zimmetry Environmental is one of the principal providers of asbestos testing, monitoring and consulting services. Their building science and industrial hygiene experts identify asbestos-containing materials, work to eliminate exposure hazards, and help to keep companies and institutions in regulatory compliance.
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their asbestos, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, and 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

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