On this Field Day Friday, when people are beginning to feel the stress of keeping up with their New Year’s resolutions, we are able to reflect on what this year has in store while we conduct a Hazardous Materials Investigation and a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment at a beautiful church located in the heart of Philadelphia, PA. This prayer labyrinth was a nice reprieve from some of our more hazardous projects, which are normally conducted in abandoned buildings. It has given us the opportunity to be part of a preservation project that has enriched a community for over 150 years.

Hazardous materials investigations are a necessary evil. As a building owner you want to provide a safe and productive environment for your occupants, but at the same time you don’t always want to know what the walls and tiles in your building may have to say. This becomes a major concern if the building was constructed prior to the 1970s, when hazardous materials such as lead, asbestos and PCBs began to be phased out of construction materials. In most cases, hazardous building materials are not harmful to building occupants until they begin to deteriorate or are damaged during construction activities. If hazardous materials are discovered in your building, they can lead to increased costs, or even delays in your construction schedule. In the long run, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Element responds quickly to our clients’ requests, providing quick turnaround for results and reports, allowing your project to get back on schedule with minimal to no delays. We’re committed to protecting the public’s health and restoring the environment, but we would be remiss if we didn’t take the opportunity to thank our clients for taking us to unique places such as this beautiful cathedral.