Asbestos – All You Need to Know

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral substance which can turn into a fluffy consistency. The fibres present in the asbestos are flexible and soft but resistant to chemical corrosion, electricity and heat. Pure asbestos is an effective insulator which can be mixed into plastic, cement, paper, cloth and other materials to make it stronger. At one point in time, these qualities made asbestos highly profitable for a construction business yet they unfortunately also make the asbestos extremely toxic.

You can find asbestos at home, but where?

Exposure to asbestos no matter what the amount is not safe, however, it will have the worst effects especially when an individual is exposed to an intense concentration or exposed to it daily for a long time. It is in the body where more asbestos accumulates, and there is no means of reversing the cellular damages that it causes.

Asbestos is Dangerous

The microscopic asbestos fibres are invisible and at the same time cannot be tasted or smelled, and exposure to it will not result in any instant symptoms. Thus it is simple for an individual to swallow or inhale the asbestos dust and that too without realising it. The moment the asbestos fibres reach the body, it will not dissolve. Thus the average body has a lot of difficulties expelling it.

Over time, the trapped asbestos fibres can result in scarring, inflammation and eventually cause genetic damage in the body cells. Asbestos-related diseases take a long time to develop. Its primary cause is occupational exposure followed by second-hand exposure. Such diseases can take place in individuals that reside in a contaminated setting or use products that have asbestos regularly.

Diseases Resulting from Asbestos

Most often the asbestos fibres gather in lung tissue. The benign illnesses that are asbestos-related include COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pleuritis and asbestosis that make it difficult for a person to breathe. On the other hand, the deadly illnesses that result from asbestos include occupational cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Products that Contain Asbestos

In the 20th century, insulation and asbestos were used interchangeably. The asbestos and insulation industry grew in scope as well as profitability through the introduction of massive manufacturing facilities and oil refineries. The asbestos insulation was accessible for all pipes and walls from power plants to family homes.

Professions Related to Extreme Asbestos Exposure

• Military Service
• Shipbuilding
• Electricity Generation
• Heavy Industry
• Firefighting
• Construction
• Asbestos Product Manufacturing
• Mining

The Importance of Safe Asbestos Removal

Asbestos when slightly disturbed can result in several issues so removing it is vital. That is because it will help in preventing the harmful impacts related to with the exposure of asbestos. Below are some benefits of asbestos remediation:

• Stop Lung Cancer – In most cases lung cancer is diagnosed after a tumour spreads beyond the lungs making it difficult to treat. Many people die each year because of lung cancer. Survival rates have been boosted up as the scientists have improved the diagnostic techniques and treatment options. Every year about 5000 cases of lung cancer come as a result of exposure to asbestos which means the asbestos surrounding the home can result in deadly lung cancer. An effective means to prevent this will be to go with professional asbestos removal services.

• Keep Environmental Asbestos in Check – The environmental asbestos is an indirect yet harmful exposure to asbestos. It can be from naturally occurring asbestos or pollution coming from the nearby industrial sites. It can be hazardous thus you must employ removal methods quickly. Exposure to any form of asbestos can create the peril to contract mesothelioma. Such deaths contribute to 22% cancer-related deaths. It is a severe condition which can be prevented easily through asbestos removal. Removing asbestos can reduce the possibility of the development of mesothelioma.

When you lessen the amount of contact and likelihood to asbestos by removing it, it will have a notable effect on the body health for a long term. Although government laws have, over the years, lessened the risks of asbestos, people that reside next to environmental asbestos should take certain precautions.

Hiring a Professional is a Must

The truth is if there is any asbestos found in any corner of the home or there is a suspicion that it may exist then without wasting much time get hold of a professional. Asbestos though in good condition will pose a minimal concern, but if left to deteriorate and turn into dust this can become potentially fatal. Till the middle of the 1980’s, asbestos was a widely used material to insulate homes indicating that a good number of homes have asbestos. And people used it for different things including floor tiles, insulation and other building materials.

To remove asbestos on your own will mean exposing yourself towards risks as you lack the relevant training. You are also not equipped with the essential safety equipment meaning that more asbestos will break up. That means breathing more asbestos and as a result suffering from different health problems. At the first stage the asbestos removal specialist will visit your office or home, check the danger level and communicate with you the finest way of bringing the same under control. A good number of public buildings removed it already yet there are places where the removal of asbestos is necessary for safety and health. The professionals will check every nook and corner of your premise for determining the asbestos presence and also the levels of decay.

Resting on this, these experts will chart out the remedial techniques for removing the substance. They will spend a good amount of time testing and analysis the materials in the building and determining the asbestos level in every spot. Being a layman your sheer experience may allow you in locating the asbestos yet getting it done through a seasoned consultant at all times will have an edge as they can find asbestos in places which you never thought could be possible.

So, consult a good asbestos removal specialist today and stay safe.