How to Identify Asbestos In the last century, asbestos was used to make a myriad of products stronger and more resistant to fire, and less expensive Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can lead to lung diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis Some of these illnesses can be chronically latent This means it is difficult for people to spot the issue before it's late Identifying Asbestos Asbestos can be described as a variety of minerals that are naturally occurring They were once used in building materials due to their fire-resistant, corrosion-resistant and insulating properties Inhaling the microscopic fibers could create health risks This could lead to illnesses such as asbestosis and mesothelioma These diseases can take years, or even decades, to manifest their symptoms They are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms It is essential that people know how to identify asbestos The most common way to detect asbestos is via medical tests to look for lung diseases These tests include physical exams, chest X-rays, and lung function tests However, asbestos-related illnesses can't be identified by these tests alone, as they need to be combined with a thorough history of the patient which includes a thorough examination of a person's work, home and cultural environment It is possible to find asbestos in a wide assortment of building products and materials such as cement products, flooring tiles, paints, adhesives, Artex, insulation, doors, partitions, and cladding Asbestos can be difficult to spot because the fibers are small and light They can effortlessly float through the air and inhale without anyone noticing They don't emit any distinctive smells, either You can take a small sample if you suspect the substance you're looking at has asbestos It is crucial that only a professional is able to remove asbestos, since it is complicated and requires special equipment Patch the sample using duct tape to avoid the release of fibers and send it to an asbestos analysis laboratory accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program NVLAP A list of laboratories can be found on the NVLAP web site It's easy to accidentally disturb asbestos and the risk of doing this can be much higher for certain groups of people These include plumbers, construction workers, and electricians, as they are most likely to come across asbestos-containing materials during maintenance and renovations Anyone who works in these fields should take an asbestos awareness course to ensure they are aware of the dangers and how to take the right precautions Doing Samples A sample of the suspected material is required for asbestos testing or inspection The sample can be taken by an asbestos consultant or a homeowner However, it is important to ensure that you don't produce asbestos-containing dust in the air during the collection and cleaning process The person taking the sample will usually require an air vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters and a spray bottle of water, and disposable coveralls for protection They must also wear a respirator which complies with AS/NZS17162003 Respiratory protective devices while performing the task It is recommended to collect samples on the day that isn't windy and shut off the heating or cooling system This will minimize the risk of airborne asbestos particles If you are collecting the sample, ensure that the area is fully sealed off and that pets or children aren't allowed into the Make sure to saturate the area to be sampled using an abrasive rag, then clean any tools and equipment that were used after the sample is completed Place the rag in a plastic bag and label it as contaminated waste, and dispose of it in an asbestos-free disposal facility that is licensed Place the re-sealable bag containing the sample inside a different plastic bag, and seal it all before declaring it asbestos waste Place a dropsheet made of plastic over the area that needs to be cleaned, and then wet it down again This will catch any fibres released Asbestos can be filtered with a pre-assembled pump and cassette system It is vital that the cassette does not get filled with dust as this may obscure the fibres on the filter and cause an unintended bias in the outcome If the sample is taken from an area that has high amounts of dust that is not fibrous a smaller volume of air can be utilized The epidemiological studies revealed that asbestos fibres of short length could also cause mesothelioma, or lung cancer This indicates that size is just one of the variables that influence the pathogenicity of asbestos fibers and that other parameters like chemical properties and dispersion staining, dispersion polarization and etching time are as well Identifying Professionals When asbestos fibers are disturbed or spread, they can become airborne These tiny fibers, if inhaled, can trigger lung disease These microscopic fibers can cause asbestosis or mesothelioma, as well as other respiratory and neurological conditions The time between onset and recurrence of symptoms can take anywhere between 20 and 50 years after exposure Unaltered asbestos isn't an hazard to health, but when insulation, shingles and flooring are damaged, they might release harmful fibers This can happen in the course of a renovation or demolition project, or even during normal home use or as a result of aging If you plan on remodeling your home, check with local officials from the environmental or health department to see if your building contains asbestos materials If asbestos is found in your home, it is recommended to have it checked prior to when any work can begin by an accredited asbestos inspector If you are planning to renovate an older property, make sure that the contractors you hire are licensed and certified They should be able provide an asbestos survey and report that includes an assessment of the state of any asbestos-containing material ACM and their ability to be friable The survey should indicate whether or not the contractor will remove the ACM Minor repairs are feasible on certain ACM However only a professional who is certified in the safe handling of asbestos should attempt these No matter what kind of repair is done, the area must be sealed off from the rest of your home All clothing and equipment should be placed into plastic bags and marked with a warning to avoid cross-contamination Professionals can cover or seal ACM to prevent it from releasing fibers into the environment Sealing encapsulation also referred to as encapsulation, is the process of treating the material in a way that binds and seals the fibers so they don't become airborne This can be done on insulated pipes or to cover old shingles Professionals can also physically remove ACM from a structure The process begins by soaking the materials to allow them to be cut or scraped using a variety of tools without releasing the hazardous fibers Then they place the material in sturdy, leakproof air-tight containers to ensure safe disposal Repairing or removing asbestos Asbestos is invulnerable to heat and corrosion This makes it a useful material for thousands of products including wallboards as well as fireproofing insulation and auto brakes Asbestos is a harmful substance that can cause respiratory issues when fibers are breathed in Typically, these fibers are trapped in the lungs and can cause tissue inflammation and scarring which can make breathing difficult and cause serious health problems https//vimeocom/704897252 can be found in a variety of areas of homes, including floor and ceiling tiles, roof shingles exterior siding, cement pipe and asbestos-containing joint compound Check these areas for water damage or abrasions If the material is little damaged, it might be safe to touch or disturb However when the material is damaged or you are planning to make changes in your home that might disturb it, consult with an asbestos professional These experts can carry out an inspection visually as well as take samples They can also advise you about the corrective measures that need to be done and who is qualified to carry out them Only professionals handle asbestos Some of them have been trained specifically for specific products, and they are the only ones who should do corrective work on them You can also contact your state's local Health Department or Regional Office of the US Environmental Protection Agency to inquire about asbestos training programs offered in your region Be aware that there are firms that falsely claim to be experts in asbestos removal These firms pose a threat since they promote or perform unnecessary removals, increasing the risk of harmful fibers being released The American Lung Association does NOT endorse these companies Before hiring an asbestos specialist, it is important to thoroughly research the company to ensure it's certified and insured You can ask for references from previous clients, as and proof of insurance coverage and accreditation It is also recommended to check with your state or local health and environmental agencies to determine what guidelines are required if you're planning to undertake any renovations within your home