When is Asbestos Most Dangerous?
With the recent increase in mesothelioma and other lung related diseases, doctors and scientists have been determining what toxic material is most dangerous to human health. It is important to first note that asbestos is not hazardous if it is handled correctly. This does not mean individuals cannot be contaminated by the fibers and become ill in later years. Asbestos comes in different forms and colors. Familiarizing yourself with the different types is essential to determine whether your have asbestos in your home. Even then, asbestos fibers are so small it takes a special microscope to determine whether fibers are present. As a rule of thumb, remember that white asbestos is safer than other colors such as brown or grey. Every year, thousands of individuals die because of asbestos exposure. The people who have been infected with the fibers in their lungs were exposed many years ago due to their work environment and the lack of safety precautions around the material.
In most cases, asbestos is present but not disrupted. Leaving asbestos material undisturbed is the safest way for people not to be exposed to the toxic material. Even though the asbestos may be in an area of the home, does not mean that it needs to be removed. If it is left unharmed it is technically causing no danger to your or your family. Removing the asbestos is often a hard and tedious task, especially if you are trying to accomplish it on your own. It could potentially cause more harm than good when you try and break away the asbestos from a specific area. If you hire an abatement company to remove the asbestos from your home, chances are they are going to do a solid job of safely taking all of the harmful material out of your home. Unfortunately, everything has its price, and the abatement process is often very expensive.
Asbestos becomes most dangerous when particles become airborne. This can happen when a house or building becomes demolished or renovated. Once particles become loose into the air, it is more likely to be inhaled by those who are working (or living) around it. Loose particles can result from sanding, hammering, drilling or just slightly disrupting its placement in the home. It is best not to take initial steps for removing the asbestos. The most dangerous location where asbestos is often removed without testing the material first is pipe insulation. In these cases, asbestos insulation looks very similar to typical loft insulation that is used. If there is asbestos in the home and it is in danger of becoming disturbed, make sure it is kept wet. This allows for particles to remain stable and not be released into the air. It is important to get an estimate of whether or not asbestos is actually present so the necessary steps can be taken to either keep it from becoming disturbed or removing it completely.
Last modified: December 17 2007.
