If we are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos fibers into the air, there is a greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, and no safe level of asbestos exposure has been determined yet.
These diseases are:
- Lung, colon and stomach cancer
- Mesothelioma - A rare form of cancer of the lining of the chest and abdominal cavity. Fatal.
- Asbestosis - Lungs fibrous scar tissue, reducing its capacity.
But ... with asbestos in the home does not necessarily mean that we will have cancer - REMEMBER - just because you have asbestos containing material at home does not mean your body has been contaminated and you will get cancer - asbestos is not radioactive! So please, relax, look at the pictures and let me do some explaining.
I will start with the things you SHOULD NOT DO when it comes to asbestos-containing materials (any material suspected of containing asbestos should be treated as such, unless it is verified through laboratory tests):
1. Do not scrape, drill, sand, mountain, crushing, grinding or damaged asbestos-containing materials in any form
2. Do not use abrasive pads, brushes, strippers powers of asbestos in soil, especially on dry surfaces
3. Do not try to asbestos flooring or its level of support to sand the surface down
4. No sweep / vacuum residues that may contain asbestos
5. Do not place asbestos-containing materials in their garbage
There are several materials in our homes that may contain asbestos fibers, and there are more opportunities for contamination to some than to others.
And the winners (in my statistics) in the land of Chicago are:
# 1. Reinforced asbestos tiles - colorful bouquet - most popular of 9 "x9" (almost 100% of those with a high percentage of asbestos), but other sizes also. They are often used in older basements, buildings with unity, and many other places - they were cheap and easy to maintain. Other flooring materials reinforced with asbestos fibers are linoleum sheet and glue used to ensure that the sub-soil. Damage, adequately protected material poses no health hazard, but could become problematic and expensive to deal with if you decide to remove it (assuming that a professional is doing it safely for you). But wait, if not absolutely necessary to remove it, there is another way - can be sealed (encapsulated), and other flooring material installed on this surface, which should save some money.
Any service of asbestos containing materials (repair or removal) should be performed only by a professional trained to handle asbestos safely.
# 2. The acoustic ceiling tiles - another popular decorative basement that could contain asbestos fibers. It applies in particular to tables permanently secured to the ceiling, and it is unlikely that the mobile (suspended ceiling) tiles, fiberglass or cellulose. The same principle applies: if it is damaged, do not cause any harm.
# 3. Some types of insulation: water pipes, hot water and heating steam piping systems and forced air conditioning ducts, furnace and boiler insulation.
Water and hot water / steam system of heating pipes, asbestos can be installed along the straight sections and / or elbows only - for the time it is intact, no danger. However, due to condensation, leakage and the physical impact, damage may occur. If you see damaged, flaking or powdery material that falls outside of the pipe, you should get a professional to sample and carry out the removal or repair if necessary.
Forced air ducts of heating system is essential for a very important reason - some of them have interior lined with asbestos-containing thin paper or thick cardboard, as the paper is used as a canal wall. If damaged or deteriorated, occurring asbestos fibers into the air, each time your forced air system is activated, which will be distributed through your home.
Before hiring a duct cleaning company, that makes sense to ensure that no asbestos containing materials within the air ducts!
Another potential risk is with integrated air ducts in the concrete slab. There are some types of tubes used for this purpose and one of them is called a Transite pipe ... but more on that and look for asbestos asbestos at home part 2
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