As asbestos has been removed from the building materials used in our homes in recent decades, many people have become complacent about it. In fact, asbestos can still be a very real danger for those renovating an older home built prior to the 1970’s. For the uninitiated, this is a primer on what asbestos is, why it is dangerous and how to get rid of it for good.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos was an effective heat insulation material that was used prior to the 1970’s. It is made from extremely small fibers that are virtually invisible to the naked eye. Asbestos is usually white in color, and it was used as insulation in areas, such as water pipes, attic spaces, air ducts, laminated flooring, and mastics. The insulation properties for heating were extremely beneficial thanks to the density of the material and the dangers of using it only became apparent when air conditioning became more widespread.
The Dangers of Asbestos:
Many people have probably heard that asbestos causes a number of health problems, such as pleural (lung) plaques, pleural thickening, an increased risk of lung cancer and asbestosis. The inflammatory condition asbestosis, causes coughing, shortness of breath and permanent lung damage. Long term exposure to asbestos causes us to breathe in the tiny fibers it is composed of, and they lodge in our lungs. These fibers can also fracture over time, further splitting into even tinier fragments that are impossible to remove. This came to light when asbestos was used to insulate air conditioning ducts, the condensation in the ducts was soaked up by the asbestos and then it would corrode. This freed the fibers as the material broke apart and allowed them to enter the air supply in the home.
Removing Asbestos:
If you have discovered that you have asbestos in your home, it must be removed immediately as it poses a significant health risk. Removing asbestos is a very dangerous task that should not be tackled as a casual DIY project by the untrained. Anyone that has ever seen asbestos removal professionals will know that safety is a serious concern. A certified asbestos removal company will ensure that protective equipment is worn at all times alongside an air filtration system. This will protect the contractors and purify the air in the home throughout the removal process.
Choosing the Right Contractor:
As with any field of expertise, there are good companies that carry out asbestos removal and bad ones. Always ensure that your chosen contractor is fully certified and check where they are removing the asbestos from. Some companies, only take away asbestos that is located in your ductwork, they leave the vent boot, but you need to ensure that all the asbestos is removed. Also, understand that you as the homeowner, are the owner of the asbestos that is removed from you home. This means that you need to know, how much was removed, when it was removed and where it went afterward.