If you have an older home, it’s possible that the insulation in your walls and ceilings contains asbestos. This material was used as a fire retardant in many homes built before 1980, but it can also be found in older buildings like schools or hospitals. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and has been linked to mesothelioma and other types of lung disease.
If you suspect the presence of asbestos, it’s important to have it tested. If you’re not sure whether or not there’s asbestos in your home, you should have an inspection done by a professional who can identify its presence.
Asbestos reports will help your doctor determine your symptoms
Asbestos is a very dangerous material that can cause serious health problems when it’s inhaled. The most common symptoms of asbestos poisoning are shortness of breath, a cough that doesn’t go away, chest pain, and nausea.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact a doctor immediately. If your doctor suspects you have asbestos poisoning, he or she may order an asbestos report to confirm their suspicions. Asbestos reports will also help your doctor determine whether you need treatment for your symptoms.
In addition to helping doctors make diagnoses, having an asbestos report can be useful for insurance purposes. If someone in your home has been diagnosed with asbestos poisoning, or if they are suspected of being exposed to the material at work, it’s important to get an asbestos inspection done quickly so that you can file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. Insurance companies typically require proof that there was indeed asbestos exposure at work before they’ll pay out on claims related to it.
Water-damaged asbestos materials are more likely to become friable and release fibers into the ambient air
Water-damaged asbestos materials are more likely to become friable and release fibers into the ambient air. Friable asbestos is defined as material that, when dry, can be crumbled by hand pressure alone or by the use of a tool such as a screwdriver or stiff brush.
Friability is an early indicator of deteriorating condition and may precede complete loss of physical integrity. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are not considered friable but are damaged in any way, such as cracking or breakage, can also release asbestos fibers into the environment if disturbed. If disturbed these ACMs will also become friable which makes them more dangerous than non-damaged ACMs.
Asbestos materials that are damaged, deteriorating, or abraded may have an increased likelihood of becoming friable.
Deteriorated asbestos materials are more likely to be friable, which means that they can release fibers into the air. Asbestos materials that are damaged, deteriorating, or abraded may have an increased likelihood of becoming friable. If a building owner is considering removing asbestos from their property, it is important to understand the risks associated with this activity.
Asbestos-contaminated dust or debris can find its way into living areas, posing a health risk to you and your family.
Asbestos-contaminated dust or debris can find its way into living areas, posing a health risk to you and your family. Asbestos-contaminated dust is easily tracked into the home from outside or may enter through windows and doors. You might be exposed to asbestos if:
- Asbestos-containing materials are disturbed in your home
- Your family members work in construction or demolition jobs where they disturb asbestos-containing materials
- You live near an area where asbestos-containing products are being removed or demolished
Asbestos is not biodegradable and thus can remain in landfills for many years causing concerns regarding soil and groundwater contamination.
Asbestos is not biodegradable and thus can remain in landfills for many years causing concerns regarding soil and groundwater contamination. The fibers of asbestos are small enough to be transported by wind and water, therefore contaminating large areas including residential neighborhoods and schools. Asbestos does not break down over time; it just continues to be harmful as long as it is present in our environment.
The most common health effects from asbestos exposure include lung cancer, mesothelioma (rare cancer affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen), asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), pleural plaques (abnormal thickening of tissue), and benign pleural effusion (fluid around your lungs). Asbestos exposure has also been linked with gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach cancer and ulcerative colitis but these cancers are uncommon in people with low body burdens of asbestos. In animals, exposure to high levels of asbestos causes tumors in rats, mice, and hamsters that resemble human mesothelioma or lung cancer but these types of tumors occur only after extremely long exposures (> 20 years).
An asbestos inspection will reveal the existence and condition of asbestos materials in your home.
- The inspector will check to see if asbestos is present in your home.
- The inspector will identify any asbestos materials in your home.
- The inspector will identify the condition of the asbestos materials.
- The inspector will provide recommendations on how to deal with the asbestos materials (if applicable).
Conclusion
Asbestos is a dangerous substance that should be taken seriously. If you suspect that your home may have asbestos-containing materials, it’s important to have an asbestos inspection performed. Contact us today and we will provide a free estimate and consultation for an asbestos inspection in your home or business.
