What
Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the generic name given to a group of minerals that tend to break down into a dust of microscopic size fibers including Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite and Anthophyllite. Asbestos has been used since early Roman times and nearly 30 million tons has been used in the United States since the turn of the century. Its superior durability and resistance to heat have made it a main component in literally thousands of building components.
Where
Can Asbestos Be Found?
The use of asbestos was extremely common in homes built before 1970 and is still used today, however, many asbestos materials are no longer allowed for indoor construction uses. Some of the items that may contain asbestos in your home include; older duct tape, floor tiles, acoustic ceiling tiles or covering, roofing materials, exterior siding, insulation, joint compound and textured paint, door gaskets, table pads, packaging compounds, fireproof boards and flues around wood burning stoves, and some appliances (toasters, broilers, slow cookers, waffle irons, dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, ranges, clothes dryers, and electric blankets).
Why
Is Asbestos Dangerous?
The great durability of asbestos is the very reason it is so dangerous. Inhaled microscopic fibers remain in the body forever and are impossible to remove. With enough accumulation there is a strong likelihood of developing lung cancer, mesotheilioma, (cancer of the chest lining or abdominal lining), or asbestosis, (irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal). According to The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration there is no safe level of exposure known.
What
Are The Health Effects Of Asbestos?
Asbestos is known to cause lung and bowel cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and noncancerous lung diseases. Lung cancer is responsible for the largest number of deaths due to asbestos exposure. When combined with smoking the risk factor appears to multiply by 5, greatly increasing the odds of developing lung cancer. Mesotheliomas (a group of rare human cancers) are caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis is more uncommon than lung cancer or mesothelioma at nonoccupational levels. Symptoms generally do not appear for 10 to 30 years after the exposure. Therefore, asbestos related injury to the body may have already occurred long before its effects are detectable.
How
Do I Test For Asbestos?
The Healthy Home Test Kit™ for Asbestos consists of sample collection bags, complete-easy to use instructions, and laboratory analysis. Use caution when collecting the sample. A light wetting of the material using a fine water mist prior to taking the sample will reduce the release of asbestos fibers. Do not disturb the material any more than is required to take a small sample (2 inches by 2 inches). Place the sample in the small bag and place that bag into the larger bag. Place a description of the item in the bag and the date you took the sample. Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the sample bag or the surrounding area where the sample was taken. Send the sample to our lab, it's that simple.
If
There Is A Problem How Do I Fix It?
When you receive your results from our lab, if a problem is detected, you will also receive helpful information concerning ways to reduce your risk without removal of the contaminated item. Removal is generally a last resort, because it involves disturbing the material and sending more fibers into the air. Asbestos removal should be left to professionals specially trained in safe handling of asbestos.