There’s emergening tech in the abatement industry. Here’s what you need to know and how it applies to and benefits your situation.
Montana’s housing stock skews old. Pre 1980 homes throughout Missoula, Lolo, Frenchtown, and the Bitterroot Valley were built with asbestos containing materials as standard practice. That includes floor tile, pipe insulation, roofing, and joint compound.
The problem is removing it without spreading it. Outdated methods stir up the very contaminants they’re meant to eliminate. Newer equipment stops that from happening.
Pressurized CO2 pellets are fired at contaminated surfaces. The thermal friction fractures mold colonies at the substrate level. The dry ice sublimates completely, meaning zero secondary waste and no chemical residue left behind.
Standard HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. Newer HEPA 2.0 systems add UV-C light and photocatalytic oxidation, neutralizing mold spores and mycotoxins that older filters would simply trap and hold.
In asbestos work, HEPA equipped negative air machines maintain negative pressure inside containment areas, meaning air only flows inward, never out. Abatement Technologies multi-stage HEPA units run in 500, 1,000, and 2,000 CFM configurations depending on size.
One of the most meaningful recent developments is continuous air monitoring during active abatement. Sensors track airborne fiber concentrations and pressure differentials throughout the job.
Per a NIOSH study, incorporating real time remote monitoring into asbestos projects reduced incident rates by 40%. Clearance standards require airborne fiber concentrations at or below 0.01 f/cc before the space is cleared for occupancy.
Infrared cameras locate moisture intrusion behind walls and under flooring without destruction. Moisture meters confirm what thermal imaging flags, giving crews a precise scope.
Technology | Application | Key Advantage |
Dry ice blasting | Mold (crawlspaces, attics) | No residue, no moisture, no chemical waste |
HEPA 2.0 + UV-C | Mold spores, asbestos fibers | Neutralizes mycotoxins, not just captures them |
Negative air machines | Asbestos containment zones | Prevents fiber migration to clean areas |
Real-time air monitoring | Active abatement oversight | 40% reduction in incident rates (NIOSH) |
Infrared / thermal imaging | Pre-remediation scoping | Finds hidden moisture without demolition |
Abatement Contractors of Montana is based in Missoula and serves the full state of Montana, plus Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, and beyond. If you’ve got a renovation coming up or you’ve spotted something that concerns you, reach out to ACM for a survey before the scope grows.
Absolutely. Homes built before 1980 throughout Missoula and surrounding areas like Lolo and Frenchtown commonly contain asbestos in floor tile, insulation, roofing, and drywall compound.
It uses pressurized CO2 pellets to break mold away from surfaces without chemicals or moisture. No secondary waste, no damage to wood framing, and nothing to dispose of afterward.
The containment zone is kept at lower pressure than surrounding areas, so air always flows in preventing fiber migration into clean spaces.
No. Mold can appear white, green, gray, or remain invisible behind walls. Musty odors and unexplained allergy symptoms indoors are often the first signals.
It depends on scope and location. A certified contractor will tell you upfront whether temporary relocation is needed based on the containment plan.
Inspection identifies the type, location, and extent of mold growth. Remediation is the physical removal and treatment process.
Only if the moisture source isn’t resolved. ACM identifies and addresses water intrusion as part of their process.
Written by the owner of Abatement Contractors of Montana.