Dangers of Asbestos Removal and Ways to Prevent Exposure

Six natural fibrous minerals make up a building material we know as asbestos:

1. Actinolite
2. Anthophyllite
3. Amosite
4. Tremolite
5. Chrysotile
6. Crocidolite

Up until the 1980s, asbestos was used to insulate and fireproof houses, then it was discovered how dangerous it can be to people. Thankfully, safer alternatives began to be used in the construction of new buildings. However, some older houses may still contain asbestos and it is dangerous to be exposed to it. If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos in your home, consider the steps below to assure you and your family’s safety.

Which places should I be cautious around?

The first step is knowing what asbestos is and where it can be found so you can report it or avoid the area. If you are doing some DIY projects around the house, it is important to take precautions against asbestos exposure. Typically asbestos would be included behind drywall, in the roof and flooring, pipe insulation, plaster or caulking material and anything fireproofed. Any building that was constructed before the 1990s could possibly contain asbestos and should be examined. If you are working in a building you suspect may have asbestos materials, contact your employer to investigate further.

Don’t Touch It!

Do not touch any materials you suspect to have asbestos in them, at all! If you disturb the material, the fibers will enter the air and you may inhale them which is the main way that people can be harmed by asbestos. You may disturb it by moving it, nailing it, cutting it, using a sander on it and many other ways , so it is best to just leave it until professionals show up to dispose of it properly. It can be fun to engage in DIY projects in your home, but you need to be sure you aren’t putting you or your family at risk. If you are uncertain whether or not your home contains asbestos, you should contact professional asbestos removal services to discover and dispose of the hazardous material.

It is certainly better to be safe

If you aren’t aware of the medical dangers you could be expose yourself to, consider that one effect of asbestos exposure is mesothelioma: a common type of cancer that can be a result of asbestos fiber inhalation. The risk is far greater than the reward of ignoring or removing asbestos by yourself. If you think you are at risk of exposure, don’t hesitate, call a service for asbestos removal Los Angeles, CA residents trust today!

Thank you to our friends and contributors at Nielsen Environmental for their insight into asbestos removal.