How Can You Avoid Exposure To Asbestos?
Posted on: 30 August 2015
Asbestos is a dangerous material that is made up of various fibrous materials. While they occur naturally in the earth's surface, they can be dangerous if you inhale them. Older homes and businesses often used asbestos because it is highly fire-resistant and a durable material. Unfortunately, this also means a lot of people dealt with cancer like mesothelioma due to exposure. These tips help you avoid accidental exposure to asbestos.
Why is asbestos so dangerous?
Before learning about the ways to avoid exposure to asbestos, it is essential that you understand why it is so dangerous. This will further motivate you to avoid it and get proper testing if you fear that you have asbestos somewhere in your home. While asbestos includes fibers that occur naturally, when combined, they are deadly when inhaled in the lungs. They lead to many types of cancers, especially lung cancer. The fingers get caught in the lining of the chest and abdominal cavity. The biggest cancer risk is mesothelioma, though other cancers are also a risk with asbestos exposure.
What are some common places asbestos could be hiding?
There are many areas of your home where asbestos fibers could be hiding. It is hard to see it with your eyes since it is hidden in building materials, so the only real way to know you have it is by hiring an asbestos company, like Mac-Bestos Inc. However, the following areas are the most common places that asbestos tends to hide:
- In the HVAC system
- Underneath tile flooring, particularly vinyl
- In the walls and floors by a wood-burning stove
- In steam pipes
- In roofing shingles or siding
- In the embers of a gas fireplace
- In paint on the walls
How do you avoid exposure?
Since asbestos can be hard to spot, you should get your home inspected if it is older or has older materials used. Any time you suspect asbestos, it is worth the money and time to have it checked out. At the very least, don't do any renovations before having your home inspected since this is when a lot of the fibers accidentally get inhaled. If you need to provide a sample for the asbestos company, follow these tips for avoiding exposure:
- Protect your mouth and nose with a ventilation mask
- Don't let other people in the room while collecting the sample
- Turn the HVAC system off first
- Be careful when getting the sample and don't disturb the area
- Wet the area before getting the sample, as it prevents dust from getting into the air
- Cover the floor around the area with plastic sheet
It is always safest to have the company get their own sample. If they find asbestos, they will also remove it safely for you.
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