Asbestos Removal News
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Protecting Firefighters and Fire Damage Cleanup Crews in Puerto Rico from Exposure Risks to Hazardous Materials
Firefighters in Puerto Rico play a crucial role in protecting public safety and the property of people, businesses and institutions. Responding to fires and emergencies, their work can be dangerous. These dangers include more than just flames and extreme heat as most fire emergencies could also expose firefighters to a number of hazardous substances. The National Institute for Occupational ...
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Common Indoor Environmental Quality Issues Associated with Commercial Property Damage Claims
Billions of dollars are paid out each year to settle commercial property damage claims. These claims are often due to damage caused by water, fire, smoke, and wind. Quite often, the damage from any one of these leaves behind visible signs, but they can also create potential indoor environmental quality (IEQ) hazards that many business owners and property managers may not recognize. These ...
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Workers Memorial Day and the Importance of Occupational Health and Safety Programs in Puerto Rico
On April 28th, Puerto Rico and the rest of the United States will observe Workers Memorial Day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that the annual day of recognition was established to recognize workers who died or suffered from exposures to hazards at work. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Workers Memorial Day is a time ...
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Businesses Owners and Property Managers in Puerto Rico Prepare for Hurricane Season
While the Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1st, Hurricane Preparedness Week takes place in just a few weeks. May 1st through the 7th are the 2022 dates for this year’s Hurricane Preparedness Week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminds everyone that lives in hurricane-prone areas, such as Puerto Rico, to be ready for hurricane ...
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Global Asbestos Awareness Week and Exposure Risks in the United States
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 125 million workers across the globe are exposed to asbestos in the workplace and about half the deaths from occupational cancer are likely caused by exposure to it. The agency also shares the fact that some asbestos-related deaths are also due to exposure in the home. It has long been recognized that asbestos can cause a number of ...
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Global Asbestos Awareness Week and Efforts to Protect Residents of Puerto Rico
The first week of April marks the 18th annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW). The week-long campaign was begun by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and is a designed to educate the public about asbestos and exposure hazards. The term “asbestos” is a commercial name, not a mineralogical definition, given to a variety of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals ...
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EPA Affirms Building Managers in Puerto Rico Are Responsible for Lead-Based Paint Safety Requirements When Performing Renovations
On March 21st, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will withdraw two previously published answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) concerning property management companies and their compliance responsibility under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Lead Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. According to the EPA in a recent announcement, the withdrawal of the ...
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Global Asbestos Awareness Week Discussed in New Online Video
Their newest production discusses Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) which takes place during the first week of April. “Asbestos has been used for decades in thousands of commercial products,” said Paul Cochrane, President of Cochrane and Associates and the IAQ Video Network. “While its use today has been dramatically reduced, it can still be found in many residential, ...
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Identifying Leptospira Exposure Risks in Puerto Rico to Help Prevent New Cases of Leptospirosis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of leptospirosis cases in the United States occur in Puerto Rico, followed by Hawaii. An article published by the Yale School of Public Health in 2019 also wrote that leptospirosis “is far more prevalent in Puerto Rico than previously thought.” The article also shared that following Hurricane Maria in ...
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Preventing Frozen Pipes and Water Damage in Homes and Buildings
One of the most common reasons homeowners file insurance claims is due to burst pipes. In fact, insurance professionals report that approximately 1 in 50 policyholders submits a water damage or freezing claim each year. During the cold winter months, pipes can burst as water freezes. The water expands putting tremendous pressure on both metal and plastic pipes. Water escaping from a burst pipe ...
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AMPOL December 2021 Newsletter Volume XX
As We Near the End of the Fourth Quarter AMPOL Continues to Grow! AMPOL Opens Up a New Facility in Gonzales, LA AMPOL Continues to expand despite the troubling effects of the pandemic, our newest facility is located in Gonzales, LA and will enable us to serve the response needs of many additional plants and facilities in the Gulf Coast area. Learn more about OLR Response ...
By AMPOL
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National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With many people spending around 90% of their time indoors, the quality of the air they breathe is a key component to their well-being. Understanding and controlling ...
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Tips to Protect Homes and Buildings from Flood Damage
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that just 1 inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to a home. Unfortunately, flood damage to homes and businesses is an all too common occurrence for millions of Americans. For those living or working in areas that are prone to floods, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created the infographic Be Ready! Floods. In ...
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National Preparedness Month and the Importance of Disaster Planning for Businesses and Institutions in Puerto Rico
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been designating September as National Preparedness Month (NPM) since 2004. The event is meant to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” In addition to individual ...
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It is Not Just Lead-Based Paints, Lead Hazards Exist in Some Old Varnishes in Puerto Rico
While lead-based paints are still widely considered the most likely source of lead exposure for most people, another surface coating risk exists in some older properties in Puerto Rico and across the globe. The culprit, aging varnishes that contain lead. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Lead in varnish is typically found on floors, stairs, doors, windows and wood trim, ...
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Recognizing Safe + Sound Week in Puerto Rico to Protect the Health and Safety of All Workers
Safe + Sound Week takes place from August 9th through the 15th this year. It is the fifth annual week of recognition by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a coalition of safety organizations and thousands of businesses. Each supports the concept that every workplace should have a safety and health program that ...
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Occupational Exposure Risks to Fiberglass and Other Synthetic Vitreous Fibers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports there are many workers across the United States that are exposed to fiberglass and other synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs) in manufacturing and end-use applications. SVFs are man-made fibrous materials used for thermal and sound insulating purposes and to reinforce other materials. They are found in insulation, roofing shingles, ...
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Repurposed Buildings in Puerto Rico and Potential Indoor Exposure Hazards
San Juan, founded by the Spanish 500 years ago, has a rich architectural history and is home to some buildings dating back hundreds of years. Many of these old colonial buildings have had a number of uses over time. While the vast majority of homes and buildings across the islands were built much more recently, a number of them have also been repurposed over time. Indeed, renovating an existing ...
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Tips to Mitigate Flood Damage in Homes and Businesses across Puerto Rico
Flood damage to homes and businesses is an all too common occurrence in Puerto Rico due to the annual rainy season, tropical storms and destructive hurricanes. For those living or working in areas that are prone to flooding, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created the infographic Be Ready! Floods. In addition to the infographic’s helpful tips, the agency also ...
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Indoor Environmental Quality Plays a Pivotal Role in the Efforts of National Healthy Homes Month in Puerto Rico
Today marks the start of the sixth celebration of National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM). The month-long celebration takes place each June and was begun by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and various partners. In Puerto Rico, NHHM is an opportunity for residents to learn about healthy homes. This includes everything from home maintenance to potential hazards that may ...
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