Asbestos can be found in rocks and soil. This mineral has been popular for many manufacturers for a lot of reasons. To start with, asbestos is flexible and resistant to electricity, chemical and heat. It’s for this reason that makes asbestos used in making automotive parts, construction materials and even textiles.
Formerly known as the “miracle mineral”, asbestos has been used in a number of products like building materials to fireproof protective gear. Today, it is widely known that being exposed to asbestos can lead to health problems like mesothelioma (cancer that affects the lungs’ lining) as well as other types of cancer and lung-related diseases.
How can Asbestos Affect My Health?
Breathing in asbestos can lead to a slew of health problems. The more you inhale asbestos fibres, the more you are at risk of contracting diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Smoking can also exacerbate the risk of getting the mentioned diseases. Symptoms of the diseases due to inhalation of asbestos fibres don’t appear until 20-30 years after the initial exposure.
When does Asbestos Pose a risk to Health?
Asbestos fibres normally go through the human system by way of inhalation as it poses a risk if airborne. A minute amount of asbestos fibres are always present in the air and are being breathed in by most people without any bad effects. According to research, asbestos products if in good condition and left undisturbed doesn’t pose a health risk.
People who are affected by the diseases due to asbestos exposure are those that worked in industries involved in producing and installing asbestos products or those working either in asbestos milling or mining plants. In these situations, they are exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos particles, from their work process or from their clothes.
Preventing Asbestos Exposure
If you think that a component in your house has asbestos, asbestos removal experts suggest that you treat it as it is and just leave it alone. Products that have asbestos when in good condition doesn’t pose any problem except they are damaged. But if materials that have asbestos are damaged or disturbed, asbestos fibres may linger in the air and will be eventually inhaled or ingested.
Before you plan to demolish or remodel your home, make sure that you don’t disturb materials that have asbestos. If you want to know if the materials in your home contain asbestos, you can hire a professional inspector to gather samples. If it’s confirmed that there are asbestos, appropriate abatement procedures must be followed to make sure everyone is safe.
If your home has asbestos materials, make sure to check them from time to time for signs of damage by calling an asbestos removal Calgary company. Avoid damaging asbestos-containing materials and limit access to such dangerous areas particularly children.