Asbestos is a material that occurs naturally and is resistant to heat, electricity, and fire. Its durability made it a widely-used option in consumer products, from building insulation to oven mitts.
In the 1970s it was learned that asbestos exposure has several risks to human health, some as serious as cancer. Nowadays, asbestos is heavily regulated in the US, but it still is found in some older homes and buildings.
For people who own older buildings it is important to understand what asbestos looks like and if discovered at home, how is it to be handled with asbestos removal services.
How to identify asbestos?
Commonly three types of asbestos are found in commercial and residential properties: amosite (brown), chrysotile (white), and crocidolite (blue). Blue asbestos or crocidolite asbestos is considered to be the most hazardous of all types. It has been in use in steam engines, pipe insulation, and cement products. The fibers are very thin and can be identified by color. Amosite or brown asbestos ranks the second is most commonly used asbestos in the US and poses a great risk of cancer. It was used in cement sheet making and pipe insulation and thermal insulation products. Chrysotile is found in roofs, walls ceilings of buildings made using asbestos. It is also used in brake linings, boiler seals, ducts, and appliances.
As asbestos fibers are small and light in weight, they can float in the air for days together. While its features are quite distinguishable, a complete analysis of its features can be done with a microscope. Under a microscope, the color and shape of the fiber can be seen. Asbestos has the property to break down into very small microscopic fibers which are invisible to the naked eye. The typical length of the asbestos fibers is 0.1 to 10 micrometers. Only when asbestos is present in clumps or groups, can it be by the naked eye. Due to their small size, they can be airborne and do undetected. They can be easily inhaled by a person and cause serious health damage. In its raw form, asbestos is soft. Particularly, Chrysotile is made of soft and flexible fibers.
What should you do if you find asbestos in your home?
Unfortunately, asbestos is not very rare to find, especially in older buildings. If a homeowner finds asbestos in their home during a renovation or any repair, it is important that they follow certain steps to ensure safety and minimize exposure during the removal process.
The first step that you must take in finding asbestos in your home is to call a professional who will analyze and test the material for harmful substances. Once the evaluation is completed they will recommend an action plan to repair or remove the asbestos. If you opt for asbestos removal Sydney, you must use the services of trained professionals who follow strict guidelines for safe removal, including sealing the area before disposing of the asbestos at an approved site. You must never attempt a DIY removal as it can be extremely dangerous.
