Four Facts You Need to Know About Asbestos Abatement

While most people know that asbestos is dangerous, many people now know much more about the mineral that was used in many products in the early to mid-20th century. There is a reason why asbestos abatement is a busy industry in this country.

Asbestos was used in a number of materials in order to make them stronger and fire resistant. It became a popular insulator in homes and other buildings, as well as a common material in car parts, fabrics, cement, floors, ceilings, pipe coating, textured paints, roofing, siding paper, and even packing material.

In the 1970s, the dangers of asbestos became more apparent and its use was phased out. Today, asbestos is not used in new home manufacturing, but there is still a lot of asbestos in older buildings everywhere. Some statistics say that up to 80% of homes in the US that were built before the 1980s still contain asbestos.

Important Facts about Asbestos Abatement

If you are planning renovations or repairs to a home built before the 1980s, then you should have it inspected to ensure that you are not about to uncover materials that contain asbestos.

Here are four facts that you should know about asbestos abatement:

1) Asbestos causes cancer

Though asbestos minerals were thought to be a great material to add strength, insulation, and fire-retardant properties to building materials, people eventually realized how dangerous the minerals actually are. Ingesting or inhaling asbestos particles can cause a few different kinds of cancers, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer. It can also cause other health conditions, like pleurisy, pleural plaques, and asbestosis. Illnesses caused by asbestos exposure can sometimes take decades to appear.

It is imperative that a professional asbestos removal company is used in any situation in which there is a possibility that asbestos is present in order to avoid exposure. They are trained to keep themselves and those in the area safe from accidental asbestos exposure.

2) Disturbing asbestos causes the most harm

When materials that contain asbestos are damaged or disturbed, asbestos is released into the air as tiny fibers that can be ingested or inhaled easily. Once these fibers enter the body, they often become embedded and cannot be expelled. Over time, the asbestos fibers cause cancer and other illnesses.

If asbestos is present in a home, damaging a wall, floor, ceiling, or even a broken tile can cause the dangerous fibers to enter the air.

3) Using a licensed asbestos abatement company is important

It is essential that a licensed asbestos abatement company removes all traces of materials that contain asbestos. Licensed and experienced companies have the right protection for their work crew and can protect the people living or working in the building from exposure. Not only do licensed asbestos abatement companies know how to properly remove the dangerous materials, but they are also certified to safely dispose of the debris.

Licensed asbestos removal companies follow the stringent procedures put in place by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and local county-specific air quality rules and regulations. They must also follow strict rules laid out by the Department of Transportation when disposing of asbestos.

4) Flooding, fire, or renovation can uncover asbestos

While many people assume that asbestos is just in the insulation, it can actually be in any number of building materials. It is common that fire or flood damage uncovers dangerous asbestos, and a professional asbestos abatement company must be called in to remove it before repairs can be completed.

An especially dangerous situation is when a homeowner decides to perform their own renovations. They may not be knowledgeable about the dangers of asbestos or know how to identify it. It is extremely important that a professional asbestos abatement company performs an inspection on any home that was built before the 1980s before renovations begin.

Asbestos is still commonly uncovered in older buildings and requires professional asbestos abatement in order to remove it safely and effectively. Asbestos abatement companies are trained to properly test for the risks of asbestos in any home or building. They can give advice and offer professional removal services in order to make the space safe.