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Introduction |
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Lead and Asbestos are found in many construction materials, homes, and
other buildings that were built before the late 1970’s. Mercury is found
in various items including thermometers, thermostats, electric switches,
fluorescent lights and ballasts, and novelty items such as flashing tennis
shoes. Mold commonly grows in damp environments and can be associated
with leaks, roofs in disrepair, and faulty plumbing.
All of these materials can be hazardous to your health if they are not
managed properly.
Listed below are a number of governmental and private organizations that
address asbestos and lead activities. The City of Santa Monica does not
regulate these activities, nor do we provide testing services.
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Lead |
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Lead is a metallic element that occurs naturally in soil, rocks, and water
and is therefore present through natural processes, but also through industrial
and commercial processes and activities.
Lead was a significant additive to paints until the late 1970s. For
buildings, houses, and other structures that were built prior to the late
1970s, it is very likely that painted surfaces will have lead levels that can
be hazardous, especially to young children. Scraping, sanding or otherwise
disturbing such materials that have elevated lead levels require special
training and procedures.
If you intend to sandblast the walls in your home you must obtain a
sandblasting permit from the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division
and ensure that the paint does not contain dangerous levels of lead. Please
click here to learn more about obtaining (link) sand-blasting permits.
It is very important that only licensed and
certified contractors be hired to provide asbestos
and lead services. Please contact the California
State Contractor’s License Board at (800) 321-2752
or the National Lead Service Providers Listing
System at (888) 532-3547. |
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Asbestos |
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Asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rocks. There are several kinds of asbestos fibers,
all of which are fire resistant and not easily destroyed or degraded by natural processes.
Some asbestos materials can break into small fibers which can float in the air, and these
fibers can be inhaled. You cannot see these tiny fibers, and they are so small that they
pass through the filters of normal vacuum cleaners and get back into the air. Once inhaled,
asbestos fibers can become lodged in tissue for a long time. After many years, cancer or
mesothelioma can develop.
A health risk exists only when asbestos fibers are released from the material or product.
Soft, easily crumbled asbestos-containing material has the greatest potential for asbestos
release and therefore has the greatest potential to create health risk. Most people exposed
to small amounts of asbestos do not develop any related health problems.
Asbestos has been used in a wide variety of products, including household and building
materials, such as appliances, ceilings, wall and pipe coverings, floor tiles, and some
roofing materials.
If you suspect that your home contains asbestos you may hire a qualified professional who
is trained and experienced in working with asbestos to survey your home. A professional will
be able to help you:
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Identify potential asbestos containing materials.
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Take proper samples for testing to determine with certainty if materials contain asbestos.
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Provide technical advice about what is the best thing to do.
It is very important that only licensed and certified contractors be hired to provide asbestos
and lead services. Please contact the California State Contractor’s License Board at (800) 321-2752
or the National Lead Service Providers Listing System at (888) 532-3547 or visit
The Lead Listing
(The National Lead Service
Providers' Listing System)
to confirm that a contractor is certified to provide services.
For more information about asbestos please refer to the following links.
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Mercury |
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Mercury is an extremely toxic substance that can be
found in numerous consumer products and services.
The City of Santa Monica and other health agencies
can provide information about the health effects of
mercury and how to protect you, your family and the
community from exposure. Call (310) 458-2255 for
assistance and to request information.
Check out California Department of Toxics Substances
Control (DTSC) brochure on
Mercury in the
Environment
with excellent informational
pamphlet on mercury containing products, proper
disposal, and how to protect your family from
mercury exposure. (800) 728-6942.
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Mold |
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The City of Santa Monica offers general information about mold, but does not regulate, or conduct
inspections for mold. If you would like general information on the causes and health impacts of mold,
contact the following:
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This page was last modified on
08/06/2008
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