Everything You Need to Know About Asbestos
Asbestos is a broad term relating to a combination of fibrous substances that occur naturally. These materials are flexible, high tensile strength, and resistant to chemicals, electricity, and heat. Constructors wear preventive gears to avoid asbestos exposure; hence home and business owners should avoid removing asbestos themselves, whether from a public, residential or commercial building.
Asbestos abatement companies are certified and experienced. Hence, the first test for any toxic minerals to know what precautionary measures to take. By following the set processes and regulations, they conduct asbestos removal using the right equipment to ensure their safety and those around. The construction industry follows the asbestos standards set by OSHA to regulate asbestos exposure.
Understanding the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure
Though the use of asbestos is limited in the U.S, it still poses many risks because structures such as homes and schools built before the 1980s are still standing. Asbestos abatement is when professionals identify, remove, repair, and encapsulate products or materials in a structure, eliminating exposure to asbestos fibers.
Asbestos exposure involves inhaling or ingesting airborne particles containing asbestos fibers that embed in the digestive or respiratory systems’ tissues. This exposure can make a person disabled or cause fatal diseases. However, after initial exposure, symptoms appear after 20 or more years. Diseases caused by asbestos exposure include;
- Asbestosis-and emphysema-like condition
- Lung cancer (mesothelioma)- this cancerous tumor spreads rapidly in the cell membranes covering the body organs and lungs.
- Gastrointestinal cancer
Common Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings
Materials containing asbestos were highly valued in construction due to their heat resistance. Nowadays, most asbestos exposure occurs during the maintenance and renovation of asbestos-containing buildings and the removal of asbestos. Below are the asbestos-containing materials in structures and buildings;
- Drywall and cement
- Roof shingles and siding
- Popcorn ceiling
- Plaster and putties
- Vermiculite insulation, ceiling tiles
- Electrical switchboard
- Pipe and duct
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Thermal boiler and fireplace insulations
Reasons for Testing Asbestos for a Structure
During the 1980s, asbestos was based out because exposure to the asbestos fibrous materials caused several health implications. Asbestos-containing buildings crumble with time, exposing those around to the toxic fibers. Because it’s impossible to tell whether a structure contains asbestos, it’s advisable to test for asbestos. Below are reasons to test for asbestos in any structure.
Building Built Before 1980
Most buildings in the 1900s to the late 1980s were built using asbestos materials. Building materials that contain asbestos were pliable, cheap, strong, and highly resistant to heat. Thus, owners of such buildings and structures should have them tested to know if they contain fibrous toxic materials.
Renovation Plans Underway
A DIY renovation project can be risky. Thus, it’s advisable to have asbestos tested. Whether homeowners need to renovate the kitchen or bathroom, they should wear safety glasses and gloves. The beginning of a renovation project before testing for asbestos can expose the kids and loved ones to the threat of asbestos.
Building Disturbed by Natural or Man-Made Disasters
When a building containing asbestos materials isn’t disturbed, it’s safe. However, human-made and natural disasters can cause a building to crumble, breaking the materials that built it. If the worn-out materials contain toxic asbestos fiber, they pose a health risk to those around. Hence, testing asbestos materials can ensure that those renovating take precautionary measures.
Importance of Asbestos Removal
Home and business owners worried about their safety and those around or considering renovating their buildings should have asbestos tested. If the presence of highly hazardous materials is found in their buildings, they prefer its removal. This is due to the deadly dangers caused by toxic materials.
The importance of asbestos removal is to ensure the safety of the people near the building. People exposed to asbestos have a shorter lifespan due to the fatal diseases caused by exposure. When home and business owners have the asbestos removed from the buildings, they ensure that family and employees aren’t exposed to the hazardous materials. However, they should hire experts from a reputable company who follow the set guidelines for asbestos removal.
Key Facts About Asbestos
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they irritate the lungs causing asbestos-related diseases, including;
- Non-malignant pleural disease
- Asbestos-induced lung cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports about 43,000 deaths from Mesothelioma globally each year. Non-malignant pleural disease is precancerous and isn’t considered fatal; however, it causes several deaths each year.
Medical Conditions Can Go Undetected for Decades
After inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers, asbestos-related medical conditions can take between 20 to 50 years before the symptoms emerge. The latency period can take up to 60 years in some people. Those who have inhaled mustn’t develop medical conditions, but they are at risk. People who have the likelihood of being exposed to asbestos include;
- Metal plate workers
Asbestos-Related Diseases Are Increasing
Asbestos-related conditions take time to develop hence, deaths are on the rise. Since the early 1970s, Mesothelioma deaths have increased, especially to men compared to women. Deaths from asbestos are expected to increase rapidly but decline after some time.
Men Over 60 Years are Mostly at the Risk of Mesothelioma
It’s difficult to diagnose young people with Mesothelioma because the symptoms appear after a long time. Hence, symptoms can emerge in those above the age of 60, and it’s easier to diagnose them. These people could have been exposed to asbestos during their younger years, especially while at work.
Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer is Under-Reported
Lung cancer can be caused by other factors such as smoking hence, asbestos is overlooked. However, just as Mesothelioma, asbestos-induced cancer kills several people each year. Whenever asbestos-induced cancer is overlooked, it’s under ported.
Other Facts of Asbestos Include;
- Though asbestos has been outlawed in over 60 countries, it’s still permitted in the U.S.
- Asbestos is still being mined.
- Around 125 million people worldwide are at risk of exposure to asbestos due to their occupations.
- Each year, almost 90,000 people die globally due to asbestos-related medical conditions.
- Around 1.3 million workers are exposed to the risk of asbestos in the U.S.
Though organizations such as the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat continue to advocate a global ban on asbestos, it hasn’t been banned in the U.S. However, workers exposed to asbestos occupational risks should follow the regulations when renovating buildings or removing asbestos.