Asbestos is a natural mineral that consists of microscopic fibres commonly used in many products because they can withstand high heat, strong chemicals, and increase durability. Since it is a good insulator, it can be found in many construction materials.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of household materials that contain asbestos. Here are some examples are:
Unfortunately, asbestos creates several health concerns. When exposed, it can cause respiratory problems, cancer, inflammation, organ scarring, and even genetic issues. The fibres can remain in the body permanently.
When a person is exposed to asbestos, it will take several years before any signs and symptoms occur in the body. This is why you shouldn’t take asbestos contamination lightly.
For those living in an old house and plan to do a do-it-yourself renovation, trying to replace and drill drywall or replace vinyl tiles, the first thing you need to do is check for the presence of asbestos in your home. Inhaling these particles can cause a severe health hazard.
To really confirm the presence of asbestos at home, doing a visual inspection of the material or area is not enough. However, there are some indicators that may signal the presence of asbestos in your home.
If the home is constructed during or before the 1980s, there is a high probability that many materials contain a high amount of asbestos. Areas that you should pay extra attention are roofing sheets, vinyl flooring, insulation for pipes, ceiling tiles, plaster, window caulking, or fibre cement.
Using these materials is not dangerous when it's in top condition and quality. However, the danger starts as these materials are slowly deteriorating. When the materials are crumbling, flaky, powdery, then you should leave it alone and get the help of a professional for asbestos testing.
You can, however, minimize the risk of asbestos inhalation by putting water on the material to reduce dust particles, put it safely in a double sealing bag and label it. You can either send it as a sample directly to the laboratory or request for the expert to do proper sampling at home.
Thank you for contacting us.
If the matter is urgent, please call us on (02) 4058 2666
We will get back to you as soon as possible
There is available asbestos testing you can take to check if there is the presence of asbestos around the house. For those who want to make sure your living space is safe from this harmful, availing this testing is a lifesaver. However, when doing testing, it is important to get certified personnel that are accredited with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and meet the standard of Australian Standard AS 4964.
There are two types of asbestos testing; fibre identification and air testing.
Fibre identification requires the use of the microscope to help identify the types of asbestos present. Sample material will undergo scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) to identify the type of mineral present. A test called PLM or polarised light microscopy will be conducted to further identify if the material is chrysotile, amosite, or crocidolite.
Crocidolite is also known as blue asbestos, is considered the most hazardous among the three. It is high temperature and acid resistant but is highly friable with fine fibres, making the particles easy to inhale when released into the air. (1)
Meanwhile, air testing is used to monitor or check the level of asbestos fibre in the air. This is particularly needed when you are going to do removal and renovation work for friable materials or want to ensure the air level in the building is free from airborne asbestos.
Conducting air testing for an old building is also recommended to assess its safety for all occupants.
Asbestos exposure is considered a serious health hazard, making it necessary to hire experts from testing to removing this dangerous element. If you are unsure about the condition of your space, avoid using a do-it-yourself asbestos testing kit because its accuracy rate is not reliable, and poor handling will expose you to inhaling the asbestos-containing materials.
When taking a sample, a team of professionals will use personal protective equipment and respirators to protect themselves. These protective gears allow them to take sufficient samples safely without putting anyone at risk.
When taking samples, these main experts' goal is to get samples without causing any particles to be released into the air. They have a control plan where they decide ways to obtain samples without compromising the safety of everyone in the area.
You will be guarantee quality testing when hiring experts for asbestos removal. The experts will do an initial inspection of the area to assess the situation and consider determine the types of testing needed. These experts have certified laboratories with the necessary tools that provide detailed analysis of the materials obtained.
There are also instances where the law requires testing before, during, and after a building project. It is a necessary safety measure since asbestos fibre can easily be released and remain on air for hours when structures are broken down.
When you suspect there is asbestos in your home, do not touch the damaged material and secure the area to avoid anyone from entering, especially children. Any movement can release asbestos into the air. This is why letting the expert handle it will ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Aside from ensuring safe handling and an accredited laboratory, your trusted asbestos specialists will translate the result of the findings to help you better understand what’s at stake. They can answer any questions you have regarding asbestos and its safety procedures.
Asbestos testing is essential for the safety of your home. The long-term effects of asbestos inhalation are enough to encourage you to get your home tested for this dangerous mineral.
Reference: