Introduction
Asbestos is a set of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat, fire, and electricity. It’s used in many products we use every day, including insulation, roofing shingles, floor tiles, and cement pipes. In some products it’s mixed with other materials—like rubber gloves or shampoo bottles—and doesn’t pose any risk of exposure. But when asbestos is released into the air or water supply during manufacturing or demolition projects (like tearing down buildings with asbestos-containing materials), it can be harmful to human health if inhaled.
What Is Asbestos?
When it comes to asbestos, what you don’t know can hurt you. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in building materials like insulation and roofing shingles. It was even used in children’s toys, like Play-Doh! Unfortunately, as we now know, asbestos dust can cause cancer—and it has been proven that breathing in tiny airborne particles of the material is dangerous.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and too small to be seen with the naked eye. If you breathe air contaminated with these fibers into your lungs, they can get trapped inside your body and cause scarring that may result in mesothelioma or lung cancer later on down the line (if not sooner). These fibers stick to the lining of your lungs where they remain until they are cleared out by coughing up mucus or brushing them away from other parts of the body through normal activity such as walking or exercising.
What Are Some Products that Contain Asbestos?
Asbestos was used in many products. One of the most common ways it was used was to insulate buildings, which meant that buildings often contained asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). ACMs are not always dangerous if they are properly maintained and sealed, but if they become damaged or deteriorate over time, they can release the fibres of asbestos into the air and cause problems for people who breathe them in.
The use of asbestos in building materials is still permitted today – although only under very strict conditions – but its use has been much more restricted since 1990 due to health concerns. Asbestos is also still permitted in some automotive products such as brake pads and clutch linings.
How Do I Know if a Product Contains Asbestos?
If you think that a product may contain asbestos, it’s important to know that you can take steps to protect yourself.
Asbestos is most commonly found in products used in the construction and manufacturing industries, including:
- Fireproofing materials (for example, sprayed-on insulation)
- Roofing materials (shingles and felt)
- Pipe covering/insulation
- Flooring material (such as vinyl floor tile)
How Can Asbestos Affect My Health?
Asbestos can affect your health in multiple ways. People who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos over long periods of time are at an increased risk for lung cancer, mesothelioma and other types of cancers.
Asbestos related lung cancer is usually diagnosed later in life, but it’s important to know that even low levels of exposure can still put you at risk for developing this type of cancer later on. Asbestos related lung cancer is more common in people who smoke or have a history of smoking than those who do not.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining around internal organs such as the lungs and abdomen (belly). In most cases, mesothelioma results from exposure to asbestos fibers during one’s lifetime.
The effects on your health depend on how much asbestos you were exposed to and how long you were exposed for; however it typically takes 10-50 years after initial exposure before symptoms appear!
How Can Families Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Asbestos in the Home?
- Avoiding dust from asbestos-containing materials is the best way to reduce your risk of exposure.
- Clean up spills immediately after they happen.
- Keep children and pets away from areas where asbestos is present (especially if you suspect that it may be damaged or crumbling). Use caution when cleaning up after pets that may have chewed on or urinated on asbestos materials, as their urine can contain some of the fibers from the material. Pets who have had long-term exposure to asbestos may also develop lung problems later in life, so keep them away from these materials and clean up any feces or urine promptly.
- Keep your house clean overall using standard cleaning methods such as sweeping rather than vacuuming; this will reduce the amount of dust generated by vacuuming which could release any airborne fibers present in a room’s air supply (which could then be breathed in by family members). Having regular professional maintenance done on your home’s HVAC system will also reduce potential sources for airborne contamination inside your home—but note that simply having an updated HVAC system does not mean that you no longer need to worry about reducing other sources for asbestos exposure like those mentioned above! If at all possible, hire professionals who are trained specifically in how best to handle situations involving hazardous materials such as asbestos while minimizing risk factors associated with each individual situation.”
Should I Have Samples of Suspected Asbestos-Containing Material Analyzed?
If you are unsure whether a material contains asbestos, it is best to have a sample analyzed. If you suspect that a material contains asbestos, it is best to have it analyzed.
As for the removal of asbestos materials and products, if the material or product cannot be safely removed without disturbing or releasing fibers into the air, then it should be disposed of in accordance with federal regulations.
Be aware of asbestos, its possible health effects, and how to reduce risk.
Asbestos is a cancer-causing material that has been used in many products. It can be found in the home, workplace and school. Asbestos causes lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos can be found in many different materials, such as:
- insulation
- cement pipe
- flooring tiles
- roofing shingles
Conclusion
Asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause serious health problems. It has been found in many common products, so it’s important to know how to identify these materials and take steps to reduce exposure when possible. If you suspect that your home may have been contaminated with asbestos, then having samples of suspected material analyzed by a professional will help determine whether or not remediation is necessary.
If you are in doubt does your home or property has asbestos-containing materials and want to find out, do not hesitate to contact our team on: 0475 143 106 or email us on: asbestosgoneandclean@gmail.com!