Do You Think Your Home May Contain Asbestos? Help Is on the Way!

As the economy rebounds and more property owners tackle long-awaited renovations and demolition projects, the demand is rising for qualified asbestos inspection services. RTK Environmental Group, a leader in environmental testing for mold, asbestos, lead, and indoor air quality in the metro-New York region, has announced that it is expanding its coverage area to offer its trusted asbestos testing services to include Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

“Now our asbestos investigators will meet the needs of all residents in New York City,” says Robert Weitz, principal and senior project manager at RTK Environmental Group, which also has offices in Stamford, CT; White Plains, NY; Morristown, NJ; as well as Maryland, Virginia, and the capital district. “We’re happy to now be able to offer this inspection service to an even wider community.”

Any remodeling job that requires cutting through walls in New York City requires a building permit from the city’s Department of Buildings—and that requires an asbestos survey, notes Weitz. “RTK’s certified asbestos investigators meet New York City’s stringent certification requirements, and are well-educated, highly trained, and experienced in identifying suspect materials, then safely removing the samples,” he says. “Safely conducting an asbestos survey is a serious matter because inhaling even the tiniest asbestos particle can cause lung disease and cancer,” he explains.

“We help to educate our clients about suspect materials, and provide a detailed report of our findings. We can also make recommendations about abatement, if necessary, and are available for follow up testing following remediation.”

Asbestos surveys vary according to the needs of property owners. RTK investigators will provide an inventory of suspect materials based on a visual inspection for those looking for a pre-purchase inspection. When demolition is planned, inspectors will take small samples of suspect materials, among them:

- Floor tiles
- Linoleum
- Vermiculite insulation
- Pipe wrap
- Plaster

The number of samples taken depends on the materials and the surface area to be demolished. That said, RTK Environmental Group does not offer asbestos abatement. This ensures that RTK clients are provided with an accurate, unbiased assessment of potential health risks.

“We look carefully at anything other than wood, metal, plastic or glass,” said Weitz. “Our goal is to help our clients understand and correct an asbestos issue from start to finish. No job is too big or too small—particularly when a family’s health is at stake.”

For more information on RTK Environmental Group’s services, call 1-800-392-6468 or email welcome@rtkenvironmental.com.