When a church in downtown Santa Cruz, California, was constructed in 1865, builders didn’t know that the material that they used in the roof to insulate it and protect it from fire would turn out to be a major health risk.
Asbestos, a mineral fiber that occurs naturally in rocks and soils, was widely used in construction in the U.S. because of its insulating and fire-retardant properties. The inhalation of asbestos fibers, however, causes serious health issues such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. As a result, many uses of asbestos were prohibited as part of the Clean Air Act in 1970.
Although asbestos isn’t dangerous when it’s undisturbed, it can become deadly when it is dislodged by construction, repairs or natural disaster. Removing asbestos is extremely difficult and dangerous without proper safety measures. Licensed asbestos abatement companies must be hired to do the work and avoid serious health risks to building occupants.
Alliance Environmental Group, which has worked on more than 100,000 asbestos-removal jobs, operates in strict accordance with all local, state and federal laws. Crewmembers are trained by OSHA-authorized instructors on how to safely remove, handle and dispose of asbestos before they begin working in the field.
When Alliance was hired to evaluate and abate the church, its crews established an order of operation and began by removing all possible items. Workers then set up a negative air pressure containment area to prevent dislodged particles from escaping the site. Crews spent two weeks removing about 7,000 square feet of asbestos-containing materials from the roof of the church. The process took 372 hours to complete.
As a result of Alliance’s years of experience in the abatement field and skilled technicians, the oldest building in Santa Cruz County is still used for its original purpose and is now asbestosfree. Worshipers can breathe easy, knowing their “Little Red Church” is going to be safe and secure for many years to come.
