The Dangers From Asbestos

Asbestos is a very dangerous substance to inhale. That’s why many companies hire professionals to remove asbestos from their workplace. Asbestos is so dangerous because the fibers that form asbestos can cause cancers such as mesothelioma, as well as other diseases. The danger in asbestos is when the material breaks down or open and the fibers become airborne. Unfortunately, dangerous exposure the asbestos can occur when even just a trace amount of fibers for a minute amount of time is present in the environment. Even then, the symptoms of trouble might not show for up to 40 years.

Typically, a person becomes exposed to asbestos from work or even home but a third risk is for people that live near places such as shipyards, steel mills, power plants, refineries, and so on where asbestos is used. What happens is that the fibers become disrupted, contaminating nearby residential areas. In addition to the industries mentioned, other common areas include maritime, construction, automotive repair (specifically brakes and clutches), roofing, and railroads.

Just as asbestos can be a serious problem for some types of businesses, it can also exist in many homes and schools. Prior to the 1970s, some materials used for building structures contained asbestos. In fact, an estimated 30 million tons of asbestos fiber was used just in the U.S. during this time, with some winding up in homes and schools.

How can you make sure your home is free of asbestos? First,remember that your home, even if it was built before 1970, does not necessarily contain asbestos. The majority of individuals that have developed health problems related to asbestos worked in industries where asbestos was prevalent, but were not exposed in their home. In addition, bear in mind that the majority of people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not become ill.

If you have any fear at all that you may have asbestos in your home, call the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They will tell you how to find qualified technicians to come and examine your house. In the case that asbestos is found, they will help you get rid of it. The EPA will also have you get a separate risk assessment to confirm or dispute their finding.

Anytime you’re contemplating home construction, assume that some of the materials will contain asbestos, unless marked asbestos free. Contact all manufacturers and get their guarantee that none of their building stock has asbestos fibers. You can’t be too careful.

If you plan on purchasing a home, the law dictates that the seller must acknowledge any hazardous materials on-site, including asbestos. If you rent an apartment built before 1970, chances are good that there is some asbestos somewhere. Remember though, that it’s only dangerous if the fibers are released into the air. As long as it stays inside the wall, you will be fine.

In 1995 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set guidelines for asbestos discovery and follow-up in work environments. Any time it’s found, employees must be notified. The same applies to rental units. If your potential landlord informs you of existing asbestos, it will be your choice to live there or not.