Asbestos Abatement
Asbestos Information and Resources
Because asbestos is resistant to heat, chemicals and electricity, it was widely used in many industries. However, when this material is disturbed, tiny fibers are released into the atmosphere. If these fibers are inhaled, they can remain in the lungs and cause health problems, including mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure has been linked to several illnesses. Lung cancer and asbestosis (lung scarring) can develop 15 to 20 years after the exposure. Though asbestosis is not life-threatening, it can cause fatal cases of the lung cancer, pneumonia or the flu.
Asbestos can also cause mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium lines the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma, which in many cases is deadly, usually does not appear until decades after the asbestos exposure. Though large doses and lengthy exposure increases a person's chance of developing mesothelioma, some people have developed the disease after only a minimal amount of exposure.
If you believe your home or workplace contains asbestos, hire a certified inspector to decide whether asbestos is present. Many buildings constructed between 1930 and 1975 contain asbestos. Asbestos was used to insulate boilers and pipers, but was also used in:
- Cement
- Plaster
- Wallboard
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Asphalt roofing shingles and tile
- Wallpapers
- Fireproof textiles
- Caulking compounds
If the inspector finds asbestos in your home or building, a plan must be devised to remove the material or minimize its dangers. The inspector may choose to remove or enclose the material. In the past, the best course of action was to remove the asbestos. However, now the Environmental Protection Agency states that if the asbestos is in good condition, it should not be removed.
If you suspect asbestos is present in your home or workplace, do not attempt to solve the problem alone. Call a certified inspector to locate the asbestos and develop an abatement plan. Ignoring the problem or attempting to remove it yourself can increase your risks of developing an asbestos-related disease.
