Table Of Contents
It is very important to understand how to identify asbestos especially if you live in or around a building that contains the material. There is an increasing number of people who have died with deaths linked to asbestos exposure. In Australia, for example, it is estimated that about 700 people die every year as a result of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer predominantly caused by exposure to asbestos.
When one is exposed to asbestos they could also suffer a condition known as asbestosis, which is the case when there is a severe inflammatory condition the impacts one’s lungs. There may be severe coughing and shortness of breath and eventually, death may occur. With this, you should have a fair understanding of the importance attached to having this sort of information handy.
Seek As Much Information As Possible About Asbestos
Asbestos is used in the construction industry for homes and offices but because of its hazardous nature, there are measures put in place to restrict its use in certain countries. Getting background knowledge on what asbestos is should precede learning how to identify it. Asbestos is one of the natural minerals that occur in certain types of rock formations in different locations around the world. It has certain properties like fire resistance and durability.
Your home should be a haven for you and your family and not a death trap of any kind. This is one of the reasons why you need to take careful notes when you go for an asbestos inspection of a home you are looking to buy. That property could be cheap for a reason. If you have already bought a home, and you did not do due diligence, it is never too late. As a matter of urgency, you need to identify asbestos in your home, office, or commercial building. Your health and the health of your loved ones should be paramount to you. If this is the case, you may be wondering how you can identify asbestos if you are not a profession in the construction industry. That’s a good question and the answer will greatly enhance your knowledge and protect you from health hazards.
Know The Age Of The Building You Want To Buy Or Rent
Up until a certain period, the use of asbestos was legal in countries everywhere in the world. The time restrictions or bans were placed on the use of asbestos at different times. Asking for the age of the building you are about to buy or hire can be a pointer to whether it was constructed after the ban or use restrictions occurred. It is safe to imagine that you may not get full disclosure on the use of asbestos in that home or property. Additional steps that may be taken include checking out the property in places where asbestos is usually used.
Common Places Where Asbestos May Be Present In Homes
Check For Asbestos On The Interior Wall Painting
Before 1990, asbestos was used as one of the ingredients in wall paints. So if you are a lover of wall paints, especially old ones, you need to be careful here. Finding out early or learning how to identify asbestos walls will go a long way in protecting you.
Focus On Fireplaces And Woodstoves
As you should know by now, asbestos is fire-resistant, so any fire-resistant material that is used in your house is likely to have asbestos in it, especially if it is an old one. You should carefully check cement sheets that are usually found in fireplace interiors for example, but as a form of good practice, you should know how to identify asbestos plaster as this material is often used as a fire retardant in these areas in homes.
Concentrate More On The Air Conditioning And Heating Ducts
Some of the other areas in a home where asbestos may be used again are the ducts for air conditioning and heating. Asbestos has the unique property of insulating against temperature changes. Asbestos identity cannot be concealed for long if you have them in these areas, you will be able to confirm its presence. Older buildings and homes with air conditioning and heating systems are likely to contain asbestos.
Insulation For Boilers And Pipes
Boilers and feed furnaces do sometimes contain asbestos, some of them may be coated with asbestos for insulation.
If you suspect that you have asbestos in your home, it is suggested to get a home testing kit that can help you on how to identify asbestos. A better way around it is to let the professionals handle it for you and offer the right solution for the presence of asbestos in your home.
