Pacific Rim Environmental

Asbestos: what you don’t know can hurt you.

Quick reminder during Asbestos Awareness Week April 1 - 7 —don’t start cutting, demoing, or tearing into materials unless you know what you’re dealing with.
We still see asbestos in places people don’t expect—flooring, mastic, roofing, etc. Doesn’t matter if the building “seems newer.” If you disturb it, you’re putting yourself and everyone on site at risk.
Before any remodel or demo:
✔️ Get a Good Faith Inspection (GFI)
✔️ Bring in certified abatement contractors if asbestos is there
✔️ Keep your crew safe and your project moving
Skipping the GFI is how jobs get shut down. It’s also how people get exposed.
What’s a GFI?
It’s a required inspection before work starts. A certified inspector checks the materials you’re going to disturb, samples them, and confirms if asbestos is present. You can’t eyeball this—testing is the only way to know.
Bottom line: don’t guess. Check first.
Worth a read from L&I 👇

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADLI/bulletins/410005e

Asbestos - What you don't know could kill you Asbestos - What you don't know could kill you Washington State Department of Labor & Industries sent this bulletin at 04/01/2026 06:00 AM PDT Trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser. Asbestos - What you don't know could kill you Asbestos is extremely hazardous and can cause fatal disease...

Free upcoming Workshop: Meet three of PacRim's experts at Vulcan Real Estate for PCB's in Building Materials workshop. On September 10th, @12 pm

Here’s the latest update on the EPA’s asbestos ban:

EPA will revisit Biden-era ban on the last type of asbestos used in US Asbestos is linked to tens of thousands of deaths annually and causes mesothelioma as well as other cancers and has been largely phased out of U.S. buildings.

We're two weeks away from our PCBs in Building Materials Workshop Series, taking place at UW's Global Innovation Exchange building on Tuesday, June 24th.

Don't miss your chance to meet Julianne Ubigau and her detection dog, Jasper—who will be discussing and demonstrating a groundbreaking approach to PCBs testing!

PCBs in Building Materials Awareness & Removal Workshop (Bellevue) Join us for an in-person workshop about PCBs: what they are, why they're a problem, and what to do if you suspect they're in your building.

Interesting that they started the project right with an asbestos survey, took the time to get a quote from an abatement company for proper removal, and still decided to do the wrong thing.

Construction and Property Management Companies and Company Owners Plead Guilty to Asbestos Violations A construction company operating in Hood River, Oregon, and a property management company operating in The Dalles, Oregon, together with the owners, pleaded guilty Friday to violating asbestos work standards and negligent endangerment by discharging a hazardous pollutant in violation of the Clean Ai...

We are deeply committed to the long-term well-being of our employees, customers, and suppliers. On this special occasion—our 34th anniversary—we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and continued trust in PacRim. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.

How to address Toxics in Buildings: PCB Remediation

2024 Workshops
November 19th, 2-4pm - Virtual
December 4th, 2-4pm - Smart Building Center

Over the past few years, you may have heard an increasing amount about polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs - a banned, synthetic chemical that the Environmental Protection Agency has linked to some cancers and other illnesses. PCBs are increasingly a chemical of concern not just for human health but for their ecological impact as well.

Supported by the WA State Department of Ecology, the EPA, and in partnership with Pacific Rim Environmental, the Seattle and Bellevue 2030 Districts are hosting a series of comprehensive workshops to cover the dangers and risks of PCBs, their impact on health and the environment, and best practices for identifying, handling, and disposing of PCB-containing materials.

Led by experts in environmental health and safety, these events will include an informative presentation and Q&A session. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on regulatory requirements, safe removal techniques, and resources for managing PCB contamination effectively.

Whether you're a contractor, property manager, environmental professional, or simply interested in learning more about PCBs, these events provide the tools and information you need to contribute to a safer, healthier environment. Register now to secure your spot!

Nearing the end of our part of this project in Olympia, WA.

Very important reminder, keep them safe!

He isn’t nameless or faceless: His name is Justin and he’s my brother By RB McKeon April marks an important month for us as we observe National Work Zone Awareness Week, which takes place April 17-21. We use t...

PortGen First Look with Turner Construction: C Concourse Expansion Turner Construction wants to meet you to potentially partner on phase 1 and phase 2 of construction on their SEA Airport C Concourse Expansion project. Hear from and network with Turner staff from prequalification's, legal, procurement, and the project team; as well as Turner subcontracting firms.

For the safety of our customers and employees, we will be closed today due to inclimate weather. We will also be closed on Monday the 26th and Monday the 2nd to observe the holiday season. Happy Holidays everyone!