Exposure to asbestos has medically been proven to cause hazardous respiratory diseases, lung cancer and mesothelioma. For homes and buildings that are built from the 1950s to the 1980s, the risk of potential exposure is immensely high. The problem with asbestos is that it can take years and even decades to manifest its effects. Even now, health care institutions do not have the exact treatment to reverse the condition of asbestos. Although, treatment options are readily available to minimise its effects. At the same time, these treatments are helpful in alleviating the condition and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Hence, it is crucial to take early preventive measures and to act immediately once asbestos contamination is suspected. While most asbestos is incorporated into construction materials where they are intact and fused,
loose-fill asbestos is unprocessed, friable, and is commonly used to act as ceiling insulation. Although loose-fill asbestos is raw, people will need the assistance of experts to identify its fibres. Over time, this toxic mineral can travel to other areas of the house or building and mixes with the air. Once asbestos becomes airborne, people can easily inhale or ingest this hazardous substance.
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Compared to asbestos-containing materials, loose asbestos is far more dangerous because of the dust particles that are easily transported widely into other places. Because of its friability, homeowners must take extra precautions in handling this type of asbestos. Exposure to loose asbestos is posing greater health risks.
The risk of developing cancer is mainly attributed to individuals working in an asbestos-contaminated environment, such as mining, manufacturing and construction industries. Apart from that, residential areas and commercial properties that are near the vicinity of asbestos factories are also exposed. With high exposure, these individuals have evidently developed cancers associated with asbestos. Furthermore, residential homes suffer from the contaminated air that travels through the cooling and heating vents, wall spaces, bedrooms and living room. According to AirSafe, it is important to effectively handle and eradicate loose-fill asbestos in your home. (1)
The most common disease associated with high exposure to asbestos is lung cancer. According to the National Library of Medicine, asbestos is also responsible for the development of certain cancers in the larynx, and ovary. (2) It can even cause cancer in the stomach, colon and pharynx but the pieces of evidence are not yet sufficient. Furthermore, secondhand exposure to asbestos can also lead to cancer.
Asbestosis is caused by inhaling asbestos fibre. With a long exposure, the dust can lodge in the lungs. When this occurs the lungs are vulnerable to scarring and damage. Affected individuals will likely experience shortness of breath and cough. When the fibres enter the lungs, they cannot be expelled from the body, hence, over time, the lungs become inelastic, causing breathing problems.
Malignant mesothelioma is an incurable condition that also damages the linings of the lungs. While this usually affects the respiratory system, the asbestos infection can also reach the heart and abdomen. If you or your family is experiencing chest pain, dry coughing, respiratory complications, fever and even fatigue, it is wise to consider having your home ceiling, damaged wall and floor checked or tested for asbestos contamination. In this way, you will not place your family in danger. Moreover, protecting them and keeping them safe from hazardous materials in your home will create an enormous impact not only on your physical state but also on your emotional and mental well-being.
Because asbestos is extremely harmful, there are significant ways that can be implemented to remove this harmful chemical from your home and property.
Foremost, it is essential to adhere to the legal guidelines presented by the government in your city regarding asbestos removal. It is important to note that DIY asbestos removal is not suggested, and is further illegal in some areas. Hence, in order to safely remove loose-fill asbestos in your properties, one should appoint a licensed or trained specialist in asbestos removal.
As work progresses, it is imperative to employ safe working methods to ensure the work is not creating a risk to the health and safety of people at the workplace. These safe working methods include identifying hazards at the workplace, erecting signs and barricades to indicate and delineate the asbestos work area, and utilizing the correct tools and equipment necessary for asbestos removal. Tools that generate dust such as high-pressure water sprays, high-speed pneumatic tools, brooms and brushes must not be used in asbestos removal unless the utilization of the aforementioned tools is controlled. This implies that the equipment should be used in a way that suppresses airborne asbestos.
One of the most important things to consider in carrying out asbestos removal is the wearing of personal protective equipment. The PPE selected should minimise risk to health and safety. In order to ensure this, the PPE should be clean, hygienic and in good working order. It should be a suitable fit and comfortable as well for the person wearing it. Ultimately, it should be suited for the nature of the work and the hazard associated with it.
After removal is carried out, the decontamination for the work area, workers, tools, and PPE must then be executed. This is an important process in eliminating or minimising exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, particularly to people outside the asbestos removal work area. Consequently, it is necessary to ensure all asbestos waste, friable asbestos and small pieces of non-friable asbestos is contained in asbestos wastes bags. The bags should be labelled in accordance with the government guidelines, indicating that they contain asbestos to avoid dust inhalation. The external surface of each bag should be cleaned to remove any adhering dust before the bag is removed from the asbestos removal work area. Subsequently, it should be double-bagged outside the asbestos removal area immediately following the decontamination process.
If you are having doubts on whether you can safely remove asbestos or not, it best to simply hire your local asbestos removal service. These experts can easily help you with the right procedure for removing and disposing of asbestos. Furthermore, they are highly trained individuals who can create an effective asbestos removal plan and execute it properly. In the case of loose-fill asbestos, removalists carry the right specialised equipment that will completely eliminate asbestos from your property. High powered vacuums, for instance, are needed to draw out the loose asbestos from your ceiling.
Before the removal process, it is also recommended to seek the assistance of an asbestos inspector to assess the condition of your home or building. The
asbestos inspection will also assess the level of toxicity of asbestos in your home. This is vital because there’s no way of identifying an asbestos-contaminated area unless samples are brought to the laboratory for testing. You will be assured that whatever the result of the inspection, the professional asbestos contractors will provide you with possible and effective solutions. Hiring the right professionals will ensure that the removal project will be carried out safely, without placing anyone in danger.
Getting the help of an abatement company will ensure that you will not be held liable for any injury or accident that might occur during the operation. It is because the abatement company has the necessary certificate and insurances to cover unexpected damages, and worse deaths while the project is still operating inside your premise. Furthermore, an asbestos removal company has all the necessary licenses and registrations to dispose of asbestos waste in the designated landfill. Disposal of asbestos is an exhausting and complicated task to manage. Handling the disposal on your own may only endanger your family or any present near your premises.
Another important factor to consider in hiring an abatement company is to assess the company’s work ethics and level of professionalism. This can be done by checking their customers’ feedback, their knowledge on how well they execute their company policies, and the existence of proof of certifications and insurances. You will also know the company’s credibility by the number of years it existed in your local area. When the company is in business with the community for years, only proves that the company has gained the customers’ trust. In turn, the customers are confident that the service provided is delivered with high quality and satisfaction.
Not all asbestos removal company will be able to resolve your asbestos problem especially if you are dealing with a commercial property that has a complicated building structure. Hence it important to seek a consultation with the company to verify their qualifications. A reliable and trustworthy company can give you effective methods on how to deal with asbestos.
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