Vancouver, Wash. -- Popcorn ceilings, vinyl flooring, cement siding, adhesives and more! Local government agencies and their partners in Southwest Washington remind residents that dangerous asbestos fibers can be found in these and many other materials within a home, no matter when it was built.

Before remodeling, repairing or disturbing any materials, take steps to guard against potential health risks to you, your family and others in the community. That includes proper disposal at the local transfer station, where changes are coming to further protect workers from potential asbestos-containing materials.

Whether you do the work yourself or hire a contractor, be safe: Check! Inspect! Protect!

While some materials are more likely to contain asbestos than others, you can't identify asbestos simply by looking at it. When asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged, it releases tiny fibers into the air that are too small to be filtered by a dust mask. There is no safe threshold for exposure to asbestos.

Southwest Clean Air Agency, Clark County Public Health, City of Vancouver Public Works, Waste Connections of Washington and Columbia Resource Company recommend the following steps for all remodels and repairs:

CHECK: Treat all suspect materials as if they contain asbestos until you are sure they don't. Call Southwest Clean Air Agency at 360-574-3058 for advice before you remodel, hire a contractor or attempt to handle asbestos yourself. Information is also available online at www.swcleanair.org/asbestos.

INSPECT: Depending upon the project and materials, an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) accredited inspector may need to visit your home to inspect for possible asbestos-containing materials. A list of AHERA-accredited building inspectors, along with information on asbestos analytical laboratories, abatement contractors and more can also be found at www.swcleanair.org/asbestos.

PROTECT: If asbestos-containing material is found in a commercial or residential structure, and that material will be disturbed, it must be properly removed before beginning remodeling, repair or demolition. Be prepared to provide proper paperwork and packaging needed to dispose of these materials at the transfer station. Call Waste Connections/Columbia Resource Company at 360-695-4858 to learn about proper disposal requirements for any materials that may contain asbestos.

###

Sent on behalf of Southwest Clean Air Agency, Columbia Resource Company, Clark County Public Health and City of Vancouver Solid Waste Services