Asbestos is something most people nowadays associate with being hazardous. While many know it is harmful to one’s health, they may not be aware of the reasons why. This is worth finding out about, especially if you are thinking about taking on an old fixer upper so, let’s consider briefly why asbestos is such a problem.
Up until the 1970’s asbestos, which is a mineral fiber, was a material commonly used in various aspects of construction. For example, it was used in products to give them added strength and was also an effective material for fire resistance and heat insulation. We can easily see why it was such a popular product to use before the dangers of using it came to light.
So, what should you know about the health risks connected to asbestos? Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers which are very small can cause some extremely serious health problems such as mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer and asbestosis which is a scarring of the lungs. A person will become exposed to asbestos fibers if materials which contain asbestos are disturbed. This is easily done when fixing up a home simply by the general handling of it, sanding it or scraping of it etc. These fibers are then released into the air and can be breathed in, staying in the lungs for a long time. Having these facts in mind, it’s not hard to see why, if asbestos is found in our old home, it would need to be removed.
Should you remove asbestos yourself? Do not try to remove asbestos yourself but consult a company who specialize in asbestos removal and are trained to do so.
Up until the 1970’s asbestos, which is a mineral fiber, was a material commonly used in various aspects of construction. For example, it was used in products to give them added strength and was also an effective material for fire resistance and heat insulation. We can easily see why it was such a popular product to use before the dangers of using it came to light.
So, what should you know about the health risks connected to asbestos? Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers which are very small can cause some extremely serious health problems such as mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer and asbestosis which is a scarring of the lungs. A person will become exposed to asbestos fibers if materials which contain asbestos are disturbed. This is easily done when fixing up a home simply by the general handling of it, sanding it or scraping of it etc. These fibers are then released into the air and can be breathed in, staying in the lungs for a long time. Having these facts in mind, it’s not hard to see why, if asbestos is found in our old home, it would need to be removed.
Should you remove asbestos yourself? Do not try to remove asbestos yourself but consult a company who specialize in asbestos removal and are trained to do so.
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