Asbestos Exposure And Diy Renovation – Understanding The Risk

Commonly referred to as the ‘silent killer of the construction industry’, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has a fluffy, light consistency. Formally used as a cost-effective insulator, cement, plastic, and a paper additive that was used across a wide variety of products in the construction industry asbestos has since been exposed as one of the most dangerous substances to ever enter into the construction industry. For home renovation guru’s and DIY specialists, the risk of asbestos exposure when renovating around the home is also a serious concern.

Asbestos can cause a wide range of health afflictions to those who are exposed to the material. When someone is in contact with asbestos materials and breaths in the dust, it can become lodged in their lungs and travel throughout the rest of the body which can affect their general health and in particular their respiratory system. Some of the diseases which have been directly linked to asbestos exposure include:

  • Lung cancer
  • Mesothelioma
  • Asbestosis

Once asbestos becomes trapped in the body it can cause scarring, inflammation, and general damage to the body cells. Mesothelioma is known to be one of the most aggressive forms of cancer that are almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos can also contribute to and cause the rapid progression of lung disease and other cancers. Asbestos removal by an experienced professional is the safest way to ensure you are not affecting the safety of your property.

Finding asbestos in an old home is not a straight-forward task. Due to the widespread use of asbestos materials by the construction industry over a period of more than half a century, the prevalence of asbestos in homes is more common than most people understand. Some of the most common places where you might find asbestos in your home include:

  • Wall cladding
  • Downpipes
  • Thermal Insulations
  • Insulated wiring
  • Stoves
  • Electricity and gas meter boxes
  • Vinyl flooring
  • Old heaters
  • Hot water systems
  • Chimneys
  • Roof tiles
  • Fencing

Asbestos is not a singular material, rather it is a group of silicate materials sharing the same fibrous nature when bonded together. There are six different types of asbestos recognised by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Those types of asbestos include:

 

  • Amosite
  • Anthophyllite
  • Tremolite
  • Actinolite
  • Chrysotile
  • Crocidolite

If you suspect that there are asbestos-containing materials in your home or in your property come and the safest thing that you can do is to leave them in an underserved state and have them inspected by licensed asbestos professional. It is essential for the safety and everyone who inhabits the property that the asbestos materials are identified and removed correctly. The cost of an asbestos evaluation could be the best investment in your health that you ever make.