Lead Removal
American Technologies, Inc. has completed more lead removal projects than any other disaster remediation and restoration company in the Western US. Our abatement services have been used on a wide variety of facilities and environments including:
• Commercial buildings
• Office buildings
• Hospitals
• Multi-family residences
• Single-family dwellings
• Military properties
• Shipyards
• Public utilities
Our approach
Lead abatement requires multiple steps to ensure that all traces of the element are safely and totally removed and discarded. These steps include:
• Remove and encapsulate the lead-containing materials.
• Seal the abated surface.
• Prepare the sealed surface with non-lead-based materials prior to refinishing.
Safety is number one
When dealing with sensitive projects such as lead abatement, the safety and well-being of all parties involved is critical. We are committed to performing every lead abatement job responsibly by safeguarding the environment in which we are working and using the industry's most effective methods and equipment to protect our customers and employees.
Training
To further ensure a safe and effective recovery, our crews are rigorously trained in lead abatement procedures and are required to follow all local, state and federal regulations. All of our crews and management are required to attend EPA-certified training offered by states in which we work as well.
The low-down on lead
Lead is a dense, malleable metallic element that is extracted primarily from galena which is a mineral ore. Lead has been used in a wide variety of materials such as paints, pipes, bullets, gasoline and radiation shielding. It's important to note that lead is currently banned from use in gasoline, residential paint and solder used in making food cans and plumbing. However, lead exposure can still result from contact with paint found in older homes or in commercial buildings, automobile compounds, industrial emissions, surface and ground water, and some forms of solder used in older plumbing systems.
Effects of lead exposure
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, exposure to lead in adults may cause potential health problems including weakness in joints and an increase in blood pressure. Exposure to high levels of lead could lead to potential brain or kidney damage.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), levels of lead found in children younger than 18 years of age are getting lower and lower because the substance is banned from gasoline, residential paint and solder used in food cans and plumbing. However, lead can still be found in drinking water as well as in dust particles, dirt, and in paint used in older homes. Children can be more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults because they may come into contact with the substance by playing on the floor or ground, or by chewing on lead-based paint chips. According to the CDC, severe exposure to lead in children can potentially lead to anemia, kidney damage or brain damage.