Asbestos 101: The Facts

Asbestos is one of those things that we are all aware of, yet seem to know very little about. Asbestos, in short, is a fibrous silicate that is woven into materials that are largely used in insulation materials. That means that some houses do have traces of asbestos in them, particularly older buildings that pre-date 1980.

Asbestos has been popular in building materials since 1950 as it was a cheap material to use in insulation. Insulation can take many forms, usually around boilers and in lofts in order to keep in the heat as well as having good fire protection qualities and is highly effective against the prevention of corrosion. Asbestos is generally used in the following items:

• Pipes insulation

• Boilers

• Lofts

• Ceiling tiles

• Sprayed coatings.

With thanks to Marshall Astor for the image

While some of the aforementioned items are not generally used in the domain of the domestic, asbestos may have been used in your loft and to insulate your boiler. As asbestos is mixed into other materials, it can be incredibly difficult to tell if it has been used in your home. If you are unsure of whether asbestos is prevalent in your home, then call a professional for an expert opinion.

While it may seem innocuous, asbestos is a very dangerous fiber. Illnesses mainly stem from inhaling asbestos. So, if you suspect asbestos is present in your home, it is necessary to handle its disposal with great care. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release these harmful fibers into the air, increasing the risk of inhalation. Therefore, it is strongly advised to seek professional Asbestos Removal services. Professionals have the expertise, equipment, and safety protocols necessary to safely contain and remove asbestos, minimizing the risk of exposure and ensuring the safety of occupants and workers alike.

As asbestos can be detrimental to your health, it is important to understand why safe removal from your home or business is necessary. While asbestos fibers are not dangerous when left undisturbed, disturbing them can expose you to the following illnesses:

• Lung cancer

• Mesothelioma – this is a rare cancer, which may affect the lining of the chest cavity, outside the lung or the abdominal contents. A vast majority of mesotheliomas are caused by contact with asbestos

• Asbestosis – a long term disease that affects the lungs

While the cost of asbestos removal may not be cheap, it is important that is not handled by yourself to ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family. Asbestos must be handled correctly to ensure the health of all around you. Commercial or industrial places have strict regulations when it comes to asbestos. As a business owner, you are responsible for identifying health hazards and mitigating them by calling services that do asbestos abatement in Kansas City (or one near you).

As you can see, it is of paramount importance that asbestos if removed from your home. Should the removal of asbestos not be sufficiently done to the required standard, there is action you can take and a mesothelioma asbestos lawyer should be able to give you all the required information that you need, in the event that this happens.

Asbestos use, however, has been in decline since the latter end of the 1980s, meaning that homes that have been built since then are likely to have been built without using asbestos as an insulator. Should you have any concerns about the use of asbestos in your home, contact the experts immediately.