Many hazardous materials can be found in modern life. Unfortunately, asbestos is a particularly dangerous material that was fairly prevalent in both commercial and residential construction before being outlawed. As a result of its popularity, many individuals will find that they need to arrange a comprehensive inspection and remediation of the asbestos that may be in their building.
Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos consists of extremely small fibers. These fibers can easily become airborne, which can make them easy to inhale. In addition to being highly toxic, these fibers can also be extremely irritating to the lining of the lungs. As a result, individuals that are exposed to these fibers may find that they are far more likely to develop lung cancer in the future. The exact timeframe for developing this cancer can vary greatly. Some individuals may find that they develop this disease fairly soon after this exposure, but others may go for many years before they become ill.
What Types Of Products Contain Asbestos?
While asbestos was used in a variety of common materials and building products, it was especially prevalent in roofing, insulation, and paneling. Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult for a person to determine whether or not a material contains asbestos. For this reason, individuals will likely be better benefited by hiring a professional to perform a comprehensive evaluation. These professionals will be able to identify asbestos-containing products or at a minimum send samples of these materials off for testing. While there will be some costs involved with having these tests done, the safety and health of your family can make this testing a reasonable investment to make.
Can You Remove Asbestos Without Professional Help?
If it is determined that there is asbestos in your building, you should avoid attempting to remove it yourself. In the process of removing asbestos, it can be fairly easy to disturb these fibers accidentally. This can greatly increase the risk of you inhaling these fibers. A lack of suitable safety equipment can further increase this risk. Lastly, it will be necessary to ensure that this asbestos is destroyed appropriately.
This part of the process will be governed by local regulations, but it will usually be more involved than simply sending these materials to the landfill. Lastly, some communities have regulations mandating asbestos removal project be completed by licensed professionals, and it can be difficult to pass a remediation inspection if you are unable to provide the required documents verifying this work was done by professionals.
For more information, contact a company like Hutzel & Associates, Inc.
Share13 April 2018
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